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Hawaii celebrities weren’t confined to the entertainment realm this year.
With island roots, two celebs made locals proud of their achievements. Thus, this year’s Waynies, which annually recognize the winners and the losers of the year, were topped by a pair of extraordinary men who made us take notice.
This year’s Waynies:
» Star of the Year:Manti Te’o, for his stellar performance on and off the gridiron. The Notre Dame superstar may not have copped the Heisman trophy this year — largely because he was a star of defense, not offense (which turned out to be offensive, n’est-ce pas?) — proved to be everything you’d expect from a football player, with humility and grace to spare. With one more game in 2013 to complete his reign, he’s already earned nearly all the accolades of a champion.
» Person of the Year: President Barack Obama. The local-born commander in chief fought a defensive battle in this year’s presidential campaign. Despite one puzzling debate performance, the president crossed the goal line when the ballots were counted to earn his second term. In the midst of his annual Hawaii vacation in Kailua, the president also earned Time magazine’s Person of the Year laurels and cover.
» Entertainer of the Year:Bruno Mars. He logged his fourth No. 1 hit in "Locked Out of Heaven," and his emceeing and performing stint on NBC’s "Saturday Night Live" sizzled in the ratings not only in its October premiere, but also ranked No. 1 as a rerun in December, signifying his versatility and inherent talent as emcee, impressionist and pop superstar.
» Male Vocalist of the Year: Kuana Torres Kahele. His "Hilo for the Holidays" and "Kaunaloa" CDs reflected his eminence as a performer and a songwriter; he prevailed on the charts, with even Billboard noticing.
» Female Vocalist of the Year:Amy Hanaiali‘i. If anyone was ohana-conscious, it was Hanaiali‘i with her "My Father’s Granddaughter" CD, laden with precious bonding family elements.
» Instrumentalist of the Year: Jake Shimabukuro. He’s one who lets his fingers do the talking, and his message of love and peace carried him through another stunning season.
» Still standing, minus one: The Makaha Sons mourned the loss of John Koko, but his brother Jerome Koko and Louis "Moon" Kauakahi carried on, tapping Eric Lee in their December Christmas concert. … Also, Ho‘okena, now a trio with Horace Dudoit, Chris Kamaka and Glen Smith since Manu Boyd decided to go solo, flexed and adapted with a CD, "Huliau," released in time for Christmas with a few holiday tunes but offering year-round joy with Hawaiian originals and revivals.
» Going, going, nearly gone: After 15 years as cuisine and entertainment central at his Chai’s Island Bistro at Aloha Tower Marketplace, chef Chai Chaowasaree has decided to shut down operations there to open Chef Chai at the Pacifica several blocks away at Kapiolani Boulevard and Ward Avenue. Good news for diners who savor his inventive platings — the new place will be health-oriented; but bad news for Hawaii’s legion of entertainers, who had graced the Chai’s dining room with music seven nights a week. So the likes of The Brothers Cazimero, Danny Couch, Melveen Leed and sundry others who adored the alternating one-night stands are now searching for a venue that respects, appreciates and incorporates island music as part of the dining experience.
» Missing in Action:Lani Misalucha. Her show opened last December at the Magic of Polynesia showroom at the Holiday Inn Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel but prematurely closed this summer after revamping her vocally appealing but challenging production aimed at visitors.
» Missing in Reaction: "Hawaii Five-0." The third season is troubled with sagging ratings, mostly because of poor scripts, according to viewers. …
And that’s "Show Biz" for 2012. …
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.
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