Show aloha for your Na Hoku favorites

Vote online for your favorite isle entertainer in the 34th annual Na Hoku Hano­hano Awards at www.hara-vote.com through May 13. Nominees are Amy Hanai­ali‘i and the Slack Key Masters; Troy Fernandez; Willie K; Ledward Kaapana; Kai­nani Kahaunaele; Keola Beamer and Rai­a­tea Helm; Kupaoa; Napua Makua; Herb Ohta Jr.; and Mark Yama­naka. Only one vote per person. The Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts’ Hoku awards, including male and female vocalist of the year and album of the year, will be announced May 29 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center and telecast live on KFVE. Tickets are $150 general, $135 kamaaina, $125 academy members. The four-day Na Hoku Hano­hano Music Festival runs May 26 to 29, featuring workshops, demonstrations, performances and exhibitions. For tickets and info, call 593-9424 or visit www.na­hoku­music­festi­val.com.

PEOPLE

Royal nuptials draw 23 million U.S. viewers

NEW YORK » Nearly 23 million Americans rose early to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot.

The Nielsen Co. said the 22.76 million viewers were spread out over 11 networks. The company’s measurement was for the period of 6 to 7:15 a.m. Eastern Time Friday, when the ceremony was taking place.

Nielsen did not have an estimate yesterday of how many people watched worldwide.

Websites reported high traffic, too. ABC­News.com said its online traffic Friday was its highest since the 2008 presidential election. And, E! Online said its 23.6 million page views on Friday was its most ever.

The wedding was telecast on ABC, CBS, NBC, Tele­mundo, Uni­vi­sion, BBC America, CNN, E! Entertainment, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and TLC.

Kid Rock defends use of Confederate flag

DETROIT » Grammy-nominated artist Kid Rock told nearly 10,000 people at the Detroit NAACP branch’s annual fundraising center in Detroit that his use of the Confederate flag during onstage performances has nothing to do with how he feels about blacks.

"I love America. I love Detroit and I love black people," the musician said last night during the annual Fight for Freedom Fund dinner at Cobo Center.

Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, used the event to diffuse criticism aimed at the Detroit NAACP branch, which honored him with its Great Expectations Award.

The Macomb County, Mich., native said his use of the flag derives from a popular song by country music legends Lyn­yrd Skyn­yrd.

A group of about 60 people picketed outside Cobo Center to protest the decision to honor Ritchie. The group also burned a replica of the flag, considered a symbol of racism.

Detroit NAACP President Wendell Anthony said Ritchie was being honored for his advocacy of the city. "We’re not lifting up the flag," Anthony said. "We’re lifting up a gentleman who has worked very hard to be a booster for Detroit."

Ritchie also announced that $50,000 in donations from his foundation will go to community proj­ects in Detroit, and another $50,000 would go to storm relief efforts in tornado-ravaged states.