Grammys might create Hawaiian music category
By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer
A major announcement next week will give Hawaiian music a big international boost, state officials say, and local music industry representatives expect the news will be the creation of a Hawaiian music category in next year's Grammy Awards.
The speculation comes as trustees for The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which presents the prestigious Grammys, wrap up their annual meeting on the Big Island this week. Before adjourning, the group is expected to vote for an album of the year award for music that is predominantly Hawaiian.
Judy Drosd, the state's chief officer for the Arts, Film and Entertainment division at the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, hinted yesterday that a significant announcement for Hawai'i music would come next week.
"Our music industry is seriously posed for major expansion and a lot of international attention," she said. "That's all I can say at this moment."
DBEDT director Ted Liu confirmed that big news for Hawaiian music was forthcoming, but would not provide details.
"Whatever the announcement is, whether it's this, or something else, I really think the point needs to be made that there was a lot of collaboration," Liu said. "The real credit needs to be given to the artists."
One industry official in a position to know about the announcement, but who asked not to be named because of confidentiality concerns, said the award would be given out beginning in February and cover albums released from Oct. 1, 2003 to Sept. 30, 2004.
Albums by artists such as Na Palapalai and Keali'i Reichel would be among those in contention.
Local musicians have lobbied for Grammy recognition of Hawaiian music for many years, said Jon de Mello, owner of the Mountain Apple Co., one of the state's largest record labels.
A Grammy for Hawaiian music would be "like letting the genie out of the bottle of aloha spirit," de Mello said.
"This will be an historic moment," he said. "This will affect Hawaiian music forever."
Officials for the national academy were unavailable for comment.
Advertiser staff writer Derek Paiva contributed to this report. Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8093.
