GOVERNOR HONORS HAWAI`I MUSIC LEGENDS
March 10 - "It is inspiring to
sit in a room with legends who have succeeded in sharing Hawai`i's music
with the world for decades," Governor Lingle said as she thanked Na Hoku
Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award recipients for "carrying the torch of
Hawai`i's culture." The Governor also emphasized the importance of the
Music Enterprise Learning Experience (MELE), a key component of her Hawai`i
Innovation Initiative. MELE is intended to develop the business and
technical production skills required by Hawai`i's musical artists to
accelerate the growth of Hawai`i's music industry worldwide.
Presented by the Hawai`i Academy of Recording Arts, this year's honorees
included: jazz pioneer Gabe Baltazar, the "Lady of Love" recording artist
and entertainer the late Loyal Garner, virtuoso pianist and recording artist
Rene Paulo, long-time Waikiki and Las Vegas entertainers the Society of
Seven, and Waikiki entertainers and recording artists The
Surfers.