Posted on: Friday, August 2, 2002

Na Leo group's city deal gives exclusive sales rights

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Local trio Na Leo will be in a video about Hanauma Bay. Advertiser library photo • April 2002

The popular singing trio Na Leo Pilimehana signed on to write a theme song for the Hanauma Bay marine preserve because they love the spot. But their efforts have been caught up in controversy over the making of an educational video featuring them and their music, as well as an exclusive arrangement to sell Na Leo's music at the Hanauma Bay gift shop.

The trio's song, "Hanauma Bay," will become the theme for the marine preserve.

Na Leo's Nalani Choy teamed up with producer Ken Makuakane to write, arrange, produce and record "Hanauma Bay," which will be featured in promotional ads and a video, still pending, that will be shown at the Hanauma Bay education center, a $10.6 million facility expected to be open in mid-August.

Don Kozono, formerly with TV's "Hawaiian Moving Company" and now a city employee, will produce, direct and edit the video. This caused a few ripples: After considering an outside producer for the educational video, city officials decided to make it internally after determining that an outside company would charge too much. Bids came in at $500,000 to $750,000 for the equipment and video design; city staff estimated the job would cost $250,000.

"We liked their music," said Ben Lee, city managing director, about Na Leo. "It's soothing and projects the right feeling to complement the bay; it was a perfect fit. Their message will be to preserve, protect and educate the public about this special marine preserve."

The trio — Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine and Angela Morales — pledged to help raise public awareness about Hanauma Bay and its assets, to appear in the video, and to participate in an ongoing education program at Hanauma Bay. In exchange, the city gave the group an exclusive privilege to sell its CDs at the gift shop, which is not yet open.

Na Leo will be the only local vocal act with this privilege over the next five years. However, noncompetitive CDs — instrumentals, compilations of whale songs, etc. — also will be available, Lee said.

Choy says she doesn't see the "exclusivity" as favoritism, because the gift shop isn't a destination for record buyers. In her view, the CDs are an amenity for ocean lovers and park patrons.

"The way I look at it, we'll have a few CDs there, not everything we've recorded," said Choy. "It's not going to be anything spectacular; people who go to the beach are looking to buy a beach mat or sunscreen, not a CD.

"We don't have visions of this being a huge seller for us. The real reason we got involved is the childhood memories of Hanauma and the positive changes in place (at the preserve). We have been told by people that our music can stir emotions in them, and I think there's an emotional response to the bay, too; if people feel a connection to the bay, they'll be more apt to respect it."

Turns out the partnership was an education for Choy.

"As a kid, I remember bringing bread to the park, and frozen peas, to feed the fishes," she said. "I didn't know it was bad; the announcements will help educate people about how feeding can affect the fish and the reef growth, and that it's something we shouldn't do."

Na Leo is offering the city the use of the Hanauma Bay song in perpetuity, without charge. The city is planning to spend $30,000 to complete the video, which will run 7 or 8 minutes. Na Leo will be seen and heard throughout. The viewing room can fit 120 comfortably, so the city predicts as many as 600 visitors will view it hourly.

Incorporating fresh aerial footage with underwater photography from several sources, the video will initially be tracked in four languages — English, Hawaiian, Japanese and Chinese. Three other languages will be added later, Lee said.

Information: Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Hotline, 396-4229.