Na Hoku Hanohano Awards a.k.a. the Hawaiian Grammys...

...are THIS WEDNESDAY at the convention center people. The best of the best of the islands. Here are the nominees for the categories that I'm going for:

ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR

* BREAKING TRADITION by Tony Gamble
* DIVIDE by Johnny Helm
* GREEN LIGHT GO by Green Light Go
* LIVE LOVE, LOVE LIFE by Darrell Aquino
* THE WILD HAWAIIAN by Henry Kapono

R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR

* 5:54 by Afatia
* GAME 7 by Bishop
* LOVE POTION CYANIDE by Creed Chameleon

* MANDI SEEKINGS by Mandi Seekings
* THE `O by Krystiles
* S.PACIFIK MUSIK by Mana Poly All-Stars

REGGAE ALBUM OF THE YEAR

* GROWING UP by Kawika Regidor
* MYSTICAL FISH by Brother Noland
* ONE DROP by One Drop
* REVIVAL by Katchafire
* WAITING ON A DREAM by Kaipo

The REST:
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Best performance by a female artist; award to resident musician

* Leilani Rivera Bond for A KAUA`I CHRISTMAS
* Paula Fuga for LILIKOI
* Amy Hanaiali`i for GENERATION HAWAI`I
* Mahela for MY HEART
* Traci Toguchi for FEEL THE BREEZE

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Best performance by a male artist; award to resident musician

* Nathan Aweau for HAWAI`I CLASSIC SERIES VOL 2 - HULA
* Brother Noland for MYSTICAL FISH
* Henry Kapono for THE WILD HAWAIIAN
* Pekelo for HANA BY THE SEA
* Keali`i Reichel for MALUHIA

DUO OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Best performance by a vocal duo or group; award to resident musician(s)

* Barefoot Natives for BAREFOOT NATIVES
* Brothers Cazimero for CAZ CHRISTMAS
* Kaukahi for LIFE IN THESE ISLANDS
* Na Palapalai for KA PUA HAE HAWAI`I
* Pali for PALI PRESENTS A TRIBUTE

MOST PROMISING ARTIST(S)
Most promising first-recorded effort as featured artist or group; award to resident musician(s)

* Ahumanu for THE GATHERING
* Danny Carvalho for SLACK KEY JOURNEY: ON MY WAY
* Paula Fuga for LILIKOI
* Manoa DNA for FOLLOW ME
* Bruce Shimabukuro for INCOGNITO

ANTHOLOGY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best album of previously released material; award to local producer(s)

* EDDIE KAMAE & FRIENDS -- Eddie & Myrna Kamae, producers
* THE 50 GREATEST HAWAI`I ALBUMS EVER - VOL 2 -- Honolulu Magazine, producer
* JUSTIN UNPLUGGED -- Bob St. John, producer
* KAPENA COLLECTION VOL III -- Leolani De Lima, producer
* THROUGH THE YEARS -- Cliff Carpenter & Donald P. "Flip" McDiarmid, producers

COMPILATION ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of newly released material by a minimum of 3 distinct artists; award to resident producer(s)

* ALOHA FESTIVALS FALSETTO CONTEST WINNERS - VOL 7, William "Baba" Alimoot, Dr. Trey & Donald P. "Flip" McDiarmid III, producers
* HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY KINGS, Milton & Chris Lau, producers
* HOKULE`A: THE LEGACY, Kenneth Makukane, Alden Levi, Randie Kamuela Fong, Hiro Mihara and Lehua Heine, producersProducers
* IT'S A SLACK KEY WORLD, Hapa, producer
* LEGENDS OF HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR: LIVE FROM MAUI, Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku, Jr., Paul Konwiser & Wayne Wong, producers

HAWAIIAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of Hawaiian music

* GENERATION HAWAI`I by Amy Hanaiali`i
* HANA BY THE SEA by Pekelo
* THE HAWAI`I CLASSIC SERIES VOL. II - HULA by Nathan Aweau
* KA PUA HAE HAWAI`I by Na Palapalai
* MAKUAKANE by Kenneth Makuakane

CONTEMPORARY HAWAIIAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of the music of Hawai`i, in the contemporary style

* BAREFOOT NATIVES by Barefoot Natives
* GRANDMASTER SLACK KEY GUITAR by Ledward Kaapana
* LIFE IN THESE ISLANDS by Kaukahi
* MY HEART by Mahela
* WHERE I LIVE THERE ARE RAINBOWS by Na Leo

CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of music in a contemporary style

* CHANGING by Keahiwai
* FOLLOW ME by Manoa DNA
* LILIKOI by Paula Fuga
* PALI PRESENTS A TRIBUTE by Pali
* RETURN TO ROMANCE by Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai`i

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR

* BRITTNI by Brittni Paiva
* GENTLY WEEPS by Jake Shimabukuro
* HAWAIIAN STEEL VOL. 4: THE ARTISTRY OF GREG SARDINHA by Greg Sardinha
* KA HIKINA O KA HAU by Keola Beamer
* THE SLACK KEY GUITAR ARTISTRY OF JEFF PETERSON by Jeff Peterson

CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF THE YEAR

* CHRISTMAS ONCE MORE IN HAWAI`I NEI by Gail Mack
* CAZ CHRISTMAS by Brothers Cazimero
* CHRISTMAS WITH THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND & FRIENDS by The Royal Hawaiian Band
* A KAUA`I CHRISTMAS by Leilani Rivera Bond
* MALUHIA by Keali`i Reichel
* MERRY CHRISTMAS by Keahiwai

RELIGIOUS ALBUM OF THE YEAR

* A CALL TO THE NATIONS by Na Kahu
* GOT ALOHA? by 7 Simple Pieces
* KEONEMELE O KAUMAKAPILI by Kaumakapili Church Choir
* MISAKA by Misaki
* WATERS OF LOVE - GOSPEL LIVE by Michael Ruff
MUSIC DVD OF THE YEAR

* BEST OF NA MELE IV, Various Artists
* KCCN FM 100 BIRTHDAY BASH SWEET 16, Various Artists
* MAKAHA SONS LIVE AT THE HAWAI`I THEATRE, Makaha Sons
* HAPA MAUI. Hapa
* OVERDRIVE LIVE 3, Various Artists

SONG OF THE YEAR
Best achievement in creating a first-time recorded song; award to resident composer

* "Angels Bear Gifts" by Robert Cazimero from CAZ CHRISTMAS by Brothers Cazimero
* "Home Away From Home" by Willie Kahaiali`i from BAREFOOT NATIVES by Barefoot Natives
* "Ka Pua Hae Hawai`i" by Kuana Torres from KA PUA HAE HAWAI`I by Na Palapalai
* "Life in These Islands" by Kawika Kahiapo from LIFE IN THESE ISLANDS by Kaukahi
* "Napua" by Michael Ruff from GENERATION HAWAI`I by Amy Hanaiali`i

HAKU MELE
Best achievement in creating a first-time recorded Hawaiian language composition; award to resident composer

* "`Aina Wehi O Ma`ili" by Eric Lee from KAMAKOLU by Na Kama
* "He Nani Moloka`i" by Kenneth Makuakane from MAKUAKANE by Kenneth Makuakane
* "He Wai Wai Nui" by Kawaikapuokalani Hewett & Kawika Kahiapo from LIFE IN THESE ISLANDS by Kaukahi
* "Ke`ei" by Kehau Tamure from KA PUA HAE HAWAI`I by Na Palapalai
* "Ku`u Pua Lovely" by Hailama Farden from KAMAKOLU) by Na Kama
* "Ke Au Maluhia" by Puakea Nogelmeier from MALUHIA by Keali`i Reichel
* "Lei Ho`okahi" by Julian K. Ako from LIFE IN THESE ISLANDS by Kaukahi
* "Nani Wale Manoa" by Eric Lee from KAMAKOLU by Na Kama
* "Ni`ihau" by Pekelo Cosma from HANA BY THE SEA by Pekelo

HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE PERFORMANCE
Best achievement in Hawaiian language performance; award to resident musician(s)

* Amy Hanaiali`i for GENERATION HAWAI`I
* Ho`omalie for ONLY YOU
* Na Kama for KAMAKOLU
* Na Palapalai for KA PUA HAE HAWAI`I
* `O Wai La for WEHIWEHI HAWAI`I
* Keali`i Reichel for MALUHIA

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best release of the year - award to local resident artist and producer

* BAREFOOT NATIVES by Barefoot Natives -- Willie Kahaiali`i, Eric Gilliom & Brian Kohne, producers
* BRITTNI by Brittni Paiva -- Brittni Paiva & Wendell Ching, producers
* EDDIE KAMAE & FRIENDS by Eddie Kamae -- Eddie & Myrna Kamae, producers
* GENERATION HAWAI`I by Amy Hanaiali`i -- Michael Ruff & Hanaiali`i Records, producers
* KA PUA HAE HAWAI`I by Na Palapalai -- Shawn Pimental, producer

ENGINEERING
Best achievement in engineering; award to resident engineer

* Ron Pendragon & Michael Ruff for GENERATION HAWAI`I by Amy Hanaiali`i
* Kenneth Makuakane, Tasha Tavares-Makuakane & Keola Donaghy for MAKUAKANE by Kenneth Makuakane
* Michael Ruff for MOONBOWS FOR CHRISTMAS by Various Artists
* D.J. Pratt for IT'S A SLACK KEY WORLD by Various Artists
* Dave Russell for WILD HAWAIIAN by Henry Kapono

LINER NOTES
Best achievement in album annotation

* Cindy Lance & Lynn Makalani Oakley for ALOHA FESTIVALS FALSETTO CONTEST WINNERS VOL. 7 by Various Artists
* Kahaunani Schornstein for KEONEMELE O KAUMAKAPILI by Kaumakapili Church Choir
* Puakea Nogelmeier, Fred Krauss & Keali`i Reichel for MALUHIA by Keali`i Reichel
* Ellen Pelissero for MY HEART by Mahela
* Clif Carpenter for THROUGH THE YEARS by Kamehameha Alumni Glee Club

GRAPHICS
Best achievement in album cover design; award to resident artist(s)

* Wailani Hipolito for THE GATHERING by Ahumanu
* Jon de Mello & Keith Usher for GENERATION HAWAI`I by Amy Hanaiali`i
* Stacy Leong Design for KA PUA HAE HAWAI`I by Na Palapalai
* Wailani Hipolito & Scott Johnson for MALUHIA by Keali`i Reichel
* Chris Lau for LIFE IN THESE ISLANDS by Kaukahi

FAVORITE ENTERTAINER
By popular state-wide vote; award to resident musician

* Nathan Aweau -- HAWAI`I CLASSIC SERIES VOL 2 - HULA
* Barefoot Natives -- BAREFOOT NATIVES
* Brother Noland -- MYSTICAL FISH
* Brothers Cazimero -- CAZ CHRISTMAS
* Amy Hanaiali`i Gilliom -- GENERATION HAWAI`I
* Ledward Kaapana -- GRANDMASTER SLACK KEY
* Na Palapalai for KA PUA HAE HAWAI`I
* Pali -- PALI PRESENTS A TRIBUTE
* Keali`i Reichel -- MALUHIA
* Jake Shimabukuro -- GENTLY WEEPS

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Fa-Fa-Fa-FASHION!

WHAT THE?! SO I totally heard Paula Rath's announcement about the Advertiser's new fasion magazine at the Fashion Incubator waaay back in April. I totally didn't expect to see them launch with the most comprehensive fashion and lifestyle website that Honolulu has ever seen! WOAH. I'm super duper impressed. The site is totally pro both visually and content-wise, which for some reason is a concept lost on some ventures. They've introduced pretty much anything you would be interested in knowing about nightlife as well, which is making me cheese uncontrollably this morning for reals.

LOVE IT!

As for tonight it's First Friday so that means art walk in Chinatown. If you're not over it then I would suggest checking out Tempo Valley at the Hawaii State Art museum and then dancing your ass off later at Sound House for the Enterprise party.

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Honolulu "It" Girl's Grandpa in the Hot Seat....

SO Senator Akaka will be participating in a live blog chat today from noon - 1pm.

[Honolulu Advertiser]

He'll be answering your questions and concerns as Hawaii state residents as it pertains to the US government. I really want to ask him how he goes about life knowing that he has THE most fabulous granddaughter on the planet. But whatever.

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Today we are celebrating....

....the AIRSPACE Workshop. josh and chris are brilliant. and fun. and brilliant. and hot. thanks for the last minute pau hana that put a skreeeeching halt on my otherwise routine first friday art walk in chinatown.

also saw a striptease, some bellydancing, two playboy bunnies, and tons i mean TONS of boys. it's all here if you wanna view the whole thing.

aloha.

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Flash in the Honolulu Advertiser today....

Hats off to classic style

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer



Flash Hansen shows off his hat collection in his Makiki apartment.

Photos by DEBORAH BOOKER | The Honolulu Advertiser

Flash, as Flash Hansen is known to everyone around town, is an event promoter. He and partner Matty Boy Hazelgrove create events that involve music, dance, imbibing and fashion. Whether in the Hanohano Room or the W, Flash & Matty Boy Presents attract the Islands' most savvy young fashionistas. And they always have a dress code.

So what does Flash wear when he's just being himself? We visited him in his apartment, which he shares with his dogs, Chewy and Nui.

FLASH HANSEN

Age: 32

Neighborhood: Makiki

What’s your personal style?
I’m not cutting-edge by any means and naturally lean toward a more classic, practical look (for someone my age).

Your favorite piece of clothing?
For upscale, probably my nice suits. I wish I could afford more of them! For day I have a pair of blue camo shorts that I could wear every day.

What would we never see you wear?
Sandals of any kind, and anything baggy.

Who is your personal style icon?
I don’t have an icon, but l like the classic old movie-star looks of the ’40s to ’60s.'

What are you willing to pay more for?
“Anything unique, anything! A well-cut and designed suit or the shirt with the perfect cut.”

Your best bargain find?
There have been many, all at Savers, Goodwill, Salvation Army or the military surplus store. A $2 shirt that fits like a $200 shirt is always a treasure. Once I found a sick tie at Wal-Mart for $9. It looks just like a $100 tie. That’s like hitting the jackpot.

What can you never get enough of?
This is a fashion question, right? Well, um, shoes, hats, ties, sunglasses and clean, new, comfy socks.

Where do you shop?
“Depends on how much money I have, ha ha. I used to LOVE the old DKNY. But since they moved they dropped their men’s line. Unbelievable! Their shirt cut fit me the best. Nowadays, Diesel, Armani Exchange, Second Skin and Adasa are great. Shopping on the Mainland is always the best, though. I get so much cool stuff that they don’t even sell in Hawai'i: Ezekiel, WESC, Jedidiah (my new favorite T-shirts), to name a few.

Who cuts your hair?
Renee at Sanctuary Salon, for the last 15 years!

Best thing about being an event producer?
Having an idea or concept, creating and producing it, and seeing everyone stoked on it after all your hard work.

The worst thing about it?
Everybody thinks they are your best friend and want to take advantage of that.

What’s a little-known fact about you?
I was born and raised here. That usually catches people off guard.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.

right on babes!!

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