On the Scene
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HALL OF FAME HAILS 'LEI OF STARS' | 1. Jerome Koko, left, Louis "Moon" Kauakahi, Elmer "Sonny" Lim Jr. and Mel Amina stepped outside for an impromptu rehearsal before the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame "Lei of Stars" induction dinner May 1 at The Royal Hawaiian hotel. The quartet performed as representatives of 2013 inductees the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau. (A fifth member of the Sons, founding member Sam Gray, attended the dinner but did not perform.) Each of the inductees was scheduled to be represented by a performance of two appropriate songs, but the Sons were so popular they were called on to do a third, "My Yellow Ginger Lei," as a hana hou.
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5. Party guests Ashuri Reiko, left, Uilani Walker, Tyra Kuhar, Daniella Abe and Jamie Wakayama modeled an assortment of beach fashions. For more party photos, visit www.honolulupulse.com.
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'BLACK BOTTLE' DEBUTS IN ISLES | 4. Young's Market Co. marketing rep Christa Wittmier did double duty as one of the DJs at the April 28 VIP launch party for Belaire Rose sparkling wine at The Modern Honolulu's Sunset Pool. Mark Becker, left, and Carl Anderson, the hotel's director of food and beverage, joined Wittmier as she promoted what is popularly known as "The Black Bottle."
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3. Former U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, second from left, and his wife, Millie Akaka, congratulated their sons, Daniel "Danny Boy" Akaka Jr., left, and Alan Akaka, after the "boys" were inducted along with the 12 other members of Ka Leo Hawai'i, a group that worked to revitalize use of the Hawaiian language in the 1970s.
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2. Bandleader and "Sweet Leilani" composer Harry Owens Sr., who died in 1986, was another inductee. The family was represented by Owens' son, Harry Jr., who displayed his father's best-song Oscar at the dinner, and his daughter, Leilani Owens Hartman, right, who held the newly presented Hall of Fame certificate. Leilani was the inspiration for the still-popular song, featured in the 1937 Bing Crosby movie "Waikiki Wedding." Her daughter, Leilani Dobric, also attended. Gary Aiko, seen on stage behind Hartman's left shoulder, sang "Sweet Leilani" in tribute to the famed composer during the show and then sang it for Hartman a second time backstage after the show.
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