Win a performance by Kāpono Naʻiliʻili of the band HAPA for your next party or event! Just listen to Hawaiian 105 KINE, and when you hear the track "A Place Called Home" from his album “Ala Iki,” post a video of yourself to Facebook or Instagram with the song playing on the radio in the background and tag it ‪#‎kaponomusic. Your name will go into a drawing to be held following the end of the contest. (Requests count too! Call the station to request the song, and if it’s played, post, shoot, and tag the same kind of video!)

Contest rules: limited to Hawaiʻi residents. Travel and sound must be paid by the winner if s/he is a resident of any island other than Oahu. Contest ends February 8, 2015.


Here's a clip from the song:

Ten-time GRAMMY® Award winner Bob Dylan will be honored as 2015 MusiCares® person of the year at their 25th anniversary tribute February 6, 2015, as part of the GRAMMY® week celebrations. Former President Jimmy Carter will present the award – here are the performers who will be there:

• Beck
  
• The Black Keys
  
• Jackson Browne
  
• Crosby, Stills & Nash
  
• John Doe
  
• Norah Jones
  
• Tom Jones
  
• Los Lobos
  
• Taj Mahal
  
• John Mellencamp
  
• Alanis Morissette
  
• Willie Nelson
  
• Aaron Neville
  
• Bonnie Raitt
  
• Bruce Springsteen
  
• Susan Tedeschi
  
• Derek Trucks
  
• Eddie Vedder
  
• Jack White
  
• Neil Young
  

The event is sold out (and unfortunately it won’t be televised) but this annual gala helps shine a light on the good works of MusiCares®. For those in the music industry (it’s not limited just to musicians!) who aren’t familiar, here’s some info:

Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy® (the GRAMMY® folks), MusiCares® provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. Services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. Programs and services to members of the music community include emergency financial assistance for basic living expenses such as rent, utilities and car payments; medical expenses including doctor, dentist and hospital bills; psychotherapy; and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hepatitis C, and other critical illnesses.

MusiCares® also offers nationwide educational workshops covering a variety of subjects, including financial, legal, medical, and substance abuse issues, and programs in collaboration with health care professionals that provide services such as flu shots, hearing tests, and medical/dental screenings. The MusiCares MAP Fund® allows access to addiction recovery treatment and sober living resources for members of the music community. Staffed by qualified chemical dependency and intervention specialists, MusiCares Safe Harbor Rooms, supported by the Bohemian Foundation, offer a support network to those in recovery while they are participating in the production of televised music shows and other major music events. MusiCares® also holds weekly addiction support groups for people to discuss how to best cope with the issues surrounding the recovery process. The MusiCares® Sober Touring Network is a database of individuals across the United States who can take music people to recovery support meetings while on the road. For more information, visit www.musicares.org. 

Are you a Native Hawaiian musician, dancer, artist (etc)? You might be interested in this fellowship! I received this information today via the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts:

"To support Native Hawaiian artists active in the fields of dance, music, traditional and visual arts, the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) has announced a new fellowship with a January 15, 2015 deadline.

"The fellowship awards include support ranging up to $20,000 per artist. While this is the first fellowship created exclusively to support Native Hawaiian artists, the national nonprofit foundation has offered national fellowships of this amount each year since 2011 to Native Hawaiian, American Indian and Alaska Native artists and culture-makers. Artists who apply need to be able to supply documentation of Native Hawaiian ancestry.

“The foundation looks forward to supporting the inspirational creativity of Native Hawaiian artists and culture-makers in the Hawaiian Islands and around the country!” said NACF Program Officer Andre Bouchard. “Online applications must be submitted at your.culturegrants.org. by 5 p.m. Pacific time on January 15. Panels will review submissions this winter and we will announce the awardees in Spring 2015.”

"A partnership with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and support from the Leonard and Rose Freeman Family Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation allowed the Native-led foundation to offer this new fellowship exclusively to the nation’s Native Hawaiian artists.

“We are grateful for the advocacy and generosity of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Freeman family,” said NACF President/CEO T. Lulani Arquette (Native Hawaiian). “These esteemed partners share our commitment to Native cultures, which have the power to bring people together to transform their communities.”

"To apply for a Native Hawaiian Artist Fellowship, applicants must submit online applications by 5 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time) on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at: your.culturegrants.org.

"To learn more about the foundation or to donate in support of its mission, please visit: www.nativeartsandcultures.org."

In the past few days, my mailbox has started filling with CDs from artists entering their 2014 releases for consideration for a 2015 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaiʻi’s GRAMMY©). Each year, some of the artists (or sometimes their record companies or distributors) take advantage of the mail out or e-mail blast service offered by the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) to send CDs, postcards, flyers, download cards, emails (often with links to digital files), etc. to the voting members of HARA either prior to the preliminary ballot being released, or afterwards (if they’ve made the final ballot).

I’m often asked by artists if I think it’s worth the time and expense to take advantage of this service, and my answer is – it can be, but you need to weigh the cost with some other factors. While not every voting member of HARA listens to every CD (or digital file, etc.) they receive through this service, many do – and if you’re relatively unknown, not getting any radio airplay, not active on social media, and especially if you self-distributed and your release isn’t available in brick and mortar stores, this may be the first time anyone has ever heard of you or your release. Speaking from experience, I’ve voted for a release based on hearing it (and of the artist) for the first time because it landed in my mailbox or email box via the HARA mail out service. (I’ve also booked people on Pakele Live after hearing their release via the mail out service.)

However, using the mail out service is not a guarantee that you’ll win a Hōkū or even get nominated, so I always advise my clients to weigh their options. Some older members of HARA are not active on social media, and receiving a CD might be the only way theyʻll know about you. But for many other voters, a well-done social media campaign can also do wonders. Some of my favorites were some creative, funny, and very well-done YouTube videos by (multiple Nā Hōkū Award winners!) Waipuna that were also shared via Facebook and Twitter for the 2013 Single of the Year; the 2012 
Favorite Entertainer of the Year (and the blooper reel); and for their nine (nine!) nominations in 2012 for their 2nd album, “E Hoʻi Mai” they did individual videos for each song on the album. Here’s just one of them, for Kamehameha Trilogy (my favorite track, a.k.a. TRACK 10! TRACK 10!). Here is the result of their efforts in 2012 (they've since won more Hōkūs): 


















If you’re interested in taking advantage of HARA’s mail out/e-blast service to voting members, here is the information and pricing schedule. And remember - YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A HARA MEMBER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SERVICE!

If you’re a Hawaiʻi-based musician who released an album, EP, single, or video (of any genre, not just Hawaiian music) between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014 and would like your work to be considered for the 38th Annual (2015) Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards (Hawaiʻi’s GRAMMY©), you have until January 16, 2015 to submit your nomination forms and materials to the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts (HARA). YOU NEED NOT BE A HARA MEMBER to enter! Non-Hawaiʻi residents are also eligible to enter under certain circumstances.

The nomination forms and guidelines are available on the HARA website. You may also enter online however; hard copy (product(s)) submissions must still be received at the HARA office by the deadline. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

NOTE: Sometimes an artist’s record company or distributor submits the nomination paperwork on behalf of the artist, but don’t assume! Check with your label or distributor, and if they aren’t submitting on your behalf, do it yourself! (I provide this service for my clients, but will also submit on behalf of non-clients for a small fee.) If your label or distributor have or will be entering on your behalf and they haven’t consulted with you on certain categories, be sure to ask what they have entered for Song of the Year (if applicable), Instrumental Composition of the Year (if applicable), and for the adjudicated categories (if applicable) which tracks are being submitted for Haku Mele; Hawaiian Language Performance; and Engineering. If you disagree with the tracks they have chosen for any of these categories, request that they be changed to tracks of your choosing. Your engineer(s) should also be consulted, as for the engineering category the tracks (three of them) are to be those of the engineer’s choice “that best exemplify the engineer’s craft”.  

     >>>>>There have been a few rule and category changes, so be
             sure to read the guidelines first!  Also, the January 16
             deadline to submit is a “received by” date, NOT a 
             “postmark by” date. All submission forms and materials
             (CDs, DVDs, lyric/translation copies, and for online digital
             releases only: track sheets, credit listings and cover art)
             must be received at the HARA office by the deadline. No
             exceptions! <<<<<
 
Best of luck to all who are entering!

Ballots for the first round of voting (to determine who the nominees will be) for the 2015 GRAMMYS® were mailed to voting members October 15th, and must be returned no later than November 5th. The nominations will be announced the first week of December, and final ballots will go out on December 17th.  (The final ballots are due back January 16th and the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards® Airs Live on CBS Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.)

Here are the 18 eligible entries from Hawaiʻi in the Regional Roots category (part of the American Roots Music field):

Me Ke Aloha
Lito Arkangel

Hū’ewa
Hū’ewa

Music for the Hawaiian Islands Vol 1
Kuana Torres Kahele

Seeds of Aloha 
George Kahumoku Jr.

Swaying Sea
Kaiholu

D-Tour
John Keawe

Hanuʻaʻala
Kamaka Kukona

I Know You by Heart
Kupaoa

Na Pua Mohala
Kupaoa & Kaulana

Meleʻuhane
Keikilani Lindsey

Made in Hawaii
Chino Montero

Ala Iki
Kapono Na`ili`ili

Pure ʻUkulele
Herb Ohta, Jr.

Kani Pu Kolu
Cyril Pahinui

Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Vol. 3
Various Artists


Napili
Waipuna

Ki Hoʻalu Christmas
Jim Kimo West

Lei Maile
Mark Yamanaka

Good luck to all the entrants!

(Note: we still do not have enough entries to qualify to get our own [separate] category back. Please be sure to contact me or the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts next year for assistance in entering your album or EP for consideration. The qualifying period (release date) is different than it is for the Hōkū Awards, so watch for information next summer!)

 Honolulu, HI – Known for his work with award-winning artists from Jack Johnson to the late Dennis Kamakahi, Kaukahi to Palani Vaughan, Melveen Leed, Amy Hanaiali’i and more, multi Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winning artist Kawika Kahiapo will release Kuʻu ʻAina Aloha  ("my beloved land"), his third solo album, on October 14, 2014. A mix of four original songs, three others for which he composed the music, and five cover songs, Kahiapo’s devotion to and love of Hawaiʻi and its people, land, waters, and culture are evident in his lyrics; his velvety voice painting a picture in English and Hawaiian of both his home and his passions. 

Influenced by world renowned slack key master Gabby "Pops" Pahinui, who with guitar in hand frequented the casual “garage parties” held at Kawika’s family home when he was young, his  passion for ki ho`alu (slack-key guitar) was born and continued to grow. After breaking into the professional music scene at age 17, joining Chucky Boy Chock and O`ahu Brand, he went on to perform with the Sunday Mānoa’s Palani Vaughan. Over the years he has contributed his talents to over 80 recording projects and has collaborated and performed with artists such as the internationally acclaimed Jack Johnson; Na Leo, Cyril Pahinui and more. Subsequent to the release of his first two solo albums ("Alana" in 1996 and "One Heart/One Voice" in 2000), Kahiapo formed the group Kaukahi, which received three Nā Hōkū awards in 2007 for their debut album “Life in These Islands" - including one for Song of the Year for the album’s title cut, which Kawika wrote. He is also the recipient of the Slack Key Artist of the Year award; was featured on the GRAMMY® award winning album "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key"; and has recorded numerous jingles and theme songs for radio and television ads.

Kuʻu ʻAina Aloha was produced by Kahiapo. Chris Lau of Rhythm and Roots co-produced and engineered the album. Guest artists include: Chris Lau (bass); Nick Olds (percussion); Greg Sardinha (steel guitar); and LT Smooth (guitar). In addition to vocals, Kahiapo plays guitar, ʻukulele, cuatro, bass, and percussion. One of the album’s original songs, “Waimanalo,” composed about the place Kawika calls home, was performed on “Let’s Play Music! Slack Key with Cyril Pahinui & Friends” - a PBS TV special dedicated to the memory of Gabby "Pops" Pahinui. The song is also being aired on Hawaiian Airlines flights.

In his words: “On this CD, I wrote songs about special places in my heart: ‘Ku'u 'Aina Aloha,’ (my beloved land.) As a Hawaiian, love for the 'aina, special places of richness and beauty, are a part of me, and I a part of them.”

The CD will initially be released through Kahiapoʻs website and on Me Ke Aloha, followed by wider release through other online outlets (including iTunes and CD Baby), as well as local retailers. 

Here are some song clips from the album:

The Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) has announced that they will again assist artists in submitting their work for consideration for the 2015 Grammy® Awards. It is not necessary to be a member of either HARA or NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences – a.k.a. “The Recording Academy”) to take advantage of HARA’s assistance.

Eligibility requirements 
Albums must be released between Oct. 1, 2013 and Sept. 30, 2014. Recordings must be commercially released in general distribution in the United States, i.e. sales by label to a branch or recognized independent distributor, via the Internet, or mail order/retail sales for a nationally marketed product.  Recordings must be available for sale from any date within the eligibility period through at least the date of the current year’s voting deadline (final ballot).

How are recordings entered? 
The Academy accepts recordings and music video entries online from Recording Academy members and record companies (registered media companies) released during the eligibility year. Most (all?) HARA Board members are also NARAS members and can therefore submit on your behalf.

Submission is as follows:

1st Round: 7/1/14 to 7/23/14 for October 2013 through July 2014 releases
2nd Round: 8/13/14 to 8/27/14 for August and September 2014 releases

For information and assistance, contact the HARA office at info@nahokuhanohano.org. (Please note that the office will be closed from noon on July 1, 2014 through July 13, 2014. The office will reopen on Monday, July 14, 2014 at 8am.)

The Grammy® Awards will take place February 8, 2015.

PLEASE KŌKUA (help)!!! Glenn Duran, father of Erica Gideon - Richard Gideon’s wife (“Richie” of Maunalua fame) has suffered a series of sudden heart attacks, to the point where his heart is now functioning at 5% or less. Over a period of several days recently, he has repeatedly gone into cardiac arrest. Fortunately medical staff were able to  “shock” him back to life, but this can’t continue indefinitely. He has been given two choices: insertion of an LVAD (left ventricular assistive device) that will save his life  until a heart transplant can be done, or going to hospice - essentially giving up and waiting to die.

The latter is not an option. An easy going, fun-loving, yet humble man, Glenn’s family and friends are his life. At only 60 years old, he is the father of three, grandfather of seven, and “uncle” to countless numbers. A building engineer and carpenter by trade, “Uncle Glenn” is universally loved by family, friends, coworkers, bosses – everyone. As a building engineer some years ago, when faced with the layoff of all the men working under him but asked to stay on without them, he declined. He didn’t feel it was right or fair for him to stay while everyone else was losing their livelihood. No matter where he has worked, Uncle Glenn has quickly risen through the ranks as his bosses witness his dedication and skill. And he doesn’t just do his job – he loves to teach others and share his knowledge, showing co-workers the tricks of the trade with hands-on demonstrations while they work.

In short, Uncle Glenn has a huge heart that he shares with everyone – and now he needs our help to repair that heart. The LVAD procedure he needs is not available here in Hawaiʻi – he must fly to the mainland to receive it, and he must receive it immediately. He survived  an emergency interim procedure designed to help him survive the travel to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, but he must be transported by a special MediVac unit with experienced medical personnel on board. The cost for the transportation alone is $79,000 – this doesn’t include the cost of the procedure itself or the hospital stay. There will also be expenses for his wife Maria (and possibly other family) to travel with him and stay in San Diego where the procedure will be done.  Insurance will only cover a portion of the procedure.

A donation site has been set up to assist with expenses – the most immediate need is for the MediVac transportation (as of this writing, he was scheduled to fly out on Friday June 27 - pending full payment). Please help – NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL!                                  Www.youcaring.com/GlennDuran