Posted on: Friday, November 1, 2002

Hawai'i category for Grammys?

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i's music community will talk up a possible Hawaiian music category in the annual Grammy Awards at a forum Sunday at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Deborah Semer, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Branch of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science, will discuss policies governing the Grammy Awards.

"In order to get a category going, you have got to have three things going: voters (dues-paying members), product (CD releases) and, of course, need (a type of music not generally recognized in established categories)," Semer said.

If it's a go, 2004 would be the first year of a Hawai'i Grammy.

The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts, which presents the annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards evening, will hold a membership meeting from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. An open Grammy forum follows at 3:45 p.m., to discuss the Grammy process and the possible establishment of a Best Hawaiian Music

Album category and services for prospective Hawai'i members.

Information: (206) 834-1000.