Maui music award finalists named

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Living and deceased entertainers are up for nomination in three of the four categories in Maui's new music award, Ka Leo Hano, set for June 30 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

Organizers of the award have distributed ballots statewide. The final results will be announced in March, before the awards hoopla, said Alaka'i Paleka, head of the nominations committee.

The competition includes these categories and finalists, culled from preliminary voting:

• 'Akialoa Award (Male Vocalist) — Bla Pahinui, the late Alfred Apaka, Don Ho and the late Gabby Pahinui.
• 'Amakihi Award (Female Vocalist) — Nina Keali'iwahamana, Genoa Keawe, the late Loyal Garner, Myrtle K. Hilo.
• 'Apapane Award (Group/Duo) — The Brothers Cazimero, Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau, Sunday Manoa, Cecilio and Kapono, Eddie Kamae & the Sons of Hawai'i, Hoopi'i Brothers, Kalapana and Noelani Mahoe and the Leo Nahenahe Singers.
• 'I'iwi Award (Nonperformer) — Jack de Mello, the late Kui Lee, Don McDiarmid Jr., Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett.

Ka Leo Hano, intending to pay tribute to the legacies in Island music, normally would limit four candidates in each category, but the group/duo competition included ties that doubled the number of finalists. Show ticket information will be announced later.