Hawaii Music Awards to go live on cable's 'Olelo, too

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

•	Hawaii Music Awards A presentation of the Music Foundation of Hawaii 6-9 p.m. Sunday Kapono's at Aloha Tower Marketplace $10 951-6699 Also: 'Olelo will carry a live broadcast on Channel 56 and on the Internet at olelo.org

Johnny Kai, founder and executive producer of the event, said the ceremony will be carried live on 'Olelo (Channel 56) and on the Internet at olelo.org.

"It's 'Olelo's biggest event and most challenging project," said Kai.

To bring about the live broadcast, a microwave satellite transmitter will be placed on the waterfront, to beam a signal to 'Olelo's Mapunapuna studios.

The Hawaii Music Awards, now in its fifth season, recognizes musical achievement in categories not maintained by the larger Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

Consequently, categories go beyond the traditional Album of the Year, Male Vocalist and Female Vocalist divisions, to include New Age Music, Paniolo Music, Slack Key, Island Music, Rock, Reggae, Latin, Hip-Hop and Seasonal.

Among the entertainers set to appear: Melveen Leed, Kimo Keawe, B.E.T., Jan Brenner, Jan Shima & SaFire with Xingu! and Da Lion Dancers, Simplisity, the rock band Hawai'i, Don Kauli'a (Maui), Nacho Cardenas (Maui), Danny Estacado (Las Vegas, but originally from Maui), Traci Toguchi, Bobby Baniaga and Kupono Kane (Maui).

Politicians will be award presenters, many of them to be coupled with entertainers yet to be named. But the politico participants include Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono, U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, state Sens. Donna Mercado Kim, Kalani English, Norman Sakaguchi, Matt Matsunaga, Sam Slom, David Matsuura, state Reps. Jerry Chang, Calvin Say, Terry Nui Yoshinaga, Charles Djou, Michael Magaoay, Brian Schatz, Lei Ahu Isa, Guy Ontai, and Ed Case. Other presenters include Manuel C. Menendez, executive director of the Office of Economic Development, and boxer Brian Viloria.

Traci Toguchi, a former Miss Hawai'i, will sing the national anthem.