The red-carpet spotlight usually follows the ladies, and rightly so. With the 40th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, honoring Hawaii’s music industry, taking place Saturday at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, we decided to shift the attention to what some of the guys will be wearing.
Star-Advertiser contributor and previous Hoku nominee Erin Smith checked in with four of this year’s nominees via email to get their thoughts on fashion for Hawaii music’s big night.
ZACH MANZANO
Solo artist and member of rock and alternative bands 82Fifty and Beware the Bear
>> Nomination: “Life, Music, Death” (solo album) for best alternative album
>> Fashion statement: Manzano said he tends to keep things more on the casual side. “I don’t like too much attention. It gives me anxiety.”
>> Stage attire: “If you wore it because it makes you feel rock ‘n’ roll, then you pretty much nailed it on the head. Rock ‘n’ roll starts off as emotion for me, then it all makes its way out of your body to the instrument and to the stage. The audience knows who is faking it.”
>> Hoku Awards 2017: “I was going to wear an all-baby-blue tuxedo from the classic movie ‘Dumb and Dumber,’ but, sadly, that item does not ship to Hawaii. So I will probably don something from the darker side of the Force. I can guarantee some black skinny jeans and a button-up.”
JAKE SHIMABUKURO
Ukulele innovator and virtuoso
>> Nomination:“Tritone” from “Nashville Sessions” for best instrumental composition
>> Fashion statement: “Because I travel a lot, I look for clothes that are versatile and comfortable — a comfortable pair of black jeans that you can do a show in, but also sleep in, or shoes that are dressy enough for the stage but have enough support to go for a morning jog.”
>> Stage attire: “I’m most creative after midnight, so I’m usually in bedclothes (when writing an album). I was in Nashville during that time, and it was cold so I was probably wearing a few layers of clothing.”
>> Hoku Awards 2017: “I will probably wear black pants with an aloha shirt made by Roberta Oaks.” (Shimabukuro is pictured in one of the designer’s shirts.)
ILLIS IT
Hip-hop artist
>> Nomination: “Learn To Fly,” with the Super Groupers, for best hip-hop album
>> Fashion statement: When if comes to writing music, Illis It (Martin Dixon), who launched his new solo album called “When a Misfit Dies … ” this month, said a lot of the magic happens while wearing board shorts and kicking back at home.
>> Hoku Awards rewind: “I wore a full tuxedo to the first one I attended in 2012. The following year, I kept it casual with jeans, a Super Groupers’ cassette T-shirt, beanie and Chuck Taylor shoes. I did throw on a suit jacket to be a little formal.”
>> Hoku Awards 2017: This year, he plans to wear jeans or cargo pants, to keep comfort as key. He plans to pair it with a shirt from About the Goods, a local clothing and music shop, and a haori-style jacket that bandmate Scott Ohtoro picked up for him in Japan.
IZIK
R&B singer
>> Nomination: “Obsidian” for contemporary album and most promising artist
>> Fashion statement: “I like clothes I can move in. I’m a big boy, and sometimes I get brave and wear something that’s a little too tight. And when I get onstage, I’m very aware of what I look like, so it can affect my performance and delivery of songs. When I’m comfortable and don’t have to worry about what I’m wearing, I can focus on the performance.”
>> Man in black: These days, Izik (Isaac Moreno) tools his signature look with a mix of black staples and wide-brimmed fedoras. “I’m trying to grow out my hair this year, so the hats help with that process. I’m always wearing a gemstone or crystal because of their metaphysical properties. And you can never have enough black in your wardrobe.”
>> Hoku Awards 2017: “I’m planning on having two outfits. One for my performance and one for the carpet. For my performance, I’ll be wearing something from designer Manaola Yap. His luxury line, Kolani, really inspired me during (Honolulu) Fashion Week last November. I just want to twirl in it!”
