It’s time to unveil the Waynies, the year’s recap of highs and lows, winners and sinners, biggies and bummers.
There’s no peer balloting, no public voting. The choices are solely mine:
» Star of the year: Bruno Mars. The homegrown superstar started the year with that incredible Super Bowl halftime show, earning him a nomination for an Emmy award. His three sellout concerts at Blaisdell Arena in April galvanized his stardom as he strutted and belted out hit after hit. At year’s end he was sizzling with his Mark Ronson collaboration, "Uptown Funk," an online sensation and a highlight on "Saturday Night Live" where Mars wore hair curlers.
» Best live show by a mainstream act: Bruno Mars clearly is in the big leagues. His sleek flashback style, flavored with hip-hop and flashy moves reminiscent of James Brown and Michael Jackson, wowed hometowners. Mars was the ultimate among visiting stars.
» Best live show by a Hawaii act: Jake Shimabukuro, the ukulele virtuoso, was Mr. Frantic Fingers in a one-nighter at Blaisdell Concert Hall this month. He assembled a coterie of pal musicians, including the reunion of his early-in-his-career Pure Heart band. He jammed, he jumped, he joined the ranks of the ultimate pros, showcasing artistry and fellowship over 21⁄2 hours. A Jake of all trades!
» Best holiday revue: Ben Vegas and Maila Gibson, a duo normally featured in modest shows and convention gigs, took an ambitious leap with "A Happy Hawaiian Christmas" gala at the Ala Moana Hotel. They’re known primarily as a duo in pop, wedding and religious realms, but they produced a solid, satisfying revue tapping folks they’ve collaborated with before: Keali‘i Reichel, Kuana Torres Kahele, Ho‘okena (with Maila’s kid sister, Kanoe Gibson, part of the mix). Five hundred devoted fans made it a sellout, establishing what should be an annual tradition.
» Best reunion: The re-collaboration of Amy Hanaiali‘i and WillieK, in concert at Hawaii Theatre and on CD ("Reunion"). They were musical partners in earlier times. The new union signals impeccable box office power.
» Best new show: Alan Goldberg‘s "CabaRAE," at the newly minted showroom in the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Tapa Tower. It’s Cirque du Soleil meets "Legends" meets "The Ed Sullivan Show" — a mixed bag with wow power and the best thing happening in Waikiki since the hula. The keeper: Craig Reid doing an Elvis Presley shtick with hula hoops.
» Best homecoming: The Society of Seven at the Ala Moana Hotel. Tony Ruivivar and Bert Sagum, the one-two punch in the classic band, introduced Lhey Bella, female vocalist, for the first time here, and crowds cheered adoringly.
» Worst homecoming: John Rowles at Blaisdell Concert Hall. The show was terrific, the audience count not.
» Sorrowful split: Louis "Moon" Kauakahi exited the ranks of the Makaha Sons to spend more time home with family. Thus, Jerome Koko is carrying on the Makaha torch.
» Loss leaders: Among the island entertainers we lost this year: Dennis Kamakahi (April 28) and Teddy Tanaka (Nov. 28). …
» Best male singer: Willie K.If anyone could shepherd back the long-overdue Hawaiian music presence in Waikiki, it’s Willie. Besides Hawaiian, he can sashay into opera, blues, folk, pop, jazz. Alas, he’s a happy camper just doing his modest Maui gigs … for now.
» Best female singer: Maila Gibson.She’s half of the Ben and Maila duo, but with a pure and perfect voice that awaits that mainstream showcase CD. You know her primarily from "The Prayer," where she is a poignant counterpoint to Ho‘okena’s male harmony; she’s also the one singing the Mauna Loa macadamia nuts commercial jingle.
» Stars of tomorrow: Streetlight Cadence, a fresh foursome comprising Jonathan Franklin on violin, Brian Webb on cello, Chaz Umamoto on guitar and Jesse Shiroma on accordion and foot percussion. They rock, they roll, they reflect indie, classical and folk roots — and the rare blend of instruments should elevate Cadence to stardom in the future. …
And that’s "Show Biz."…
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
