HONOLULU (August 31, 2010) – Released today, CJ Helekahi’s debut CD “Ka Mahina” is sharing the magic of beautiful Hana, Maui with the world. Known to many as “Boom,” CJ has gained a reputation for the beauty of his voice, from his soaring tenor to his caressing falsetto. With the much-awaited release of “Ka Mahina” (The Moon), CJ is coming full circle to share music that embodies the pure spirit of tropical Hana and highlights his unique vocal abilities and range. Guest artists Kaiolohia Funes Smith, Leokane Pryor and Pekelo Cosmo join CJ on “Ka Mahina” to create a musical experience unlike any other. Produced by Dave Tucciarone and distributed by the Mountain Apple Company HAWAI’I, “Ka Mahina” includes four original and six classic songs.

Continue Reading

HONOLULU (July 30, 2010) – Hawai’i Governor Linda Lingle last week heralded the designation of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site, as another major milestone in the continuing effort to protect and preserve one of the most historically and culturally significant resources of Hawai‘i. Papahānaumokuākea was inscribed as a World Heritage site at approximately 3:30 p.m. HST on Friday, July 30, 2010.

Continue Reading

Scot Marciel, nominated as U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia.

Washington, D.C. (June 28, 2010) – The White House Office of the Press Secretary announced Monday, that President Barack Obama intends to nominate Scot Marciel as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia.

Continue Reading

Washington, D.C. (June 28, 2010) – The White House Office of the Press Secretary announced Monday, that President Barack Obama intends to nominate Scot Marciel as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia.

The nomination announcemen

Scot Marciel

t was one of four other individuals named to key Department of State administration posts, including, Norman L. Eisen as Ambassador to the Czech Republic; Terence McCulley as Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Larry Palmer as Ambassador to Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Continue Reading

HONOLULU (March 29, 2010) – World renown singer, composer and Slack key master Keola Beamer “ and two-time Grammy nominee, Raiatea Helm, partner on a brand new CD, “Keola Beamer and Raiatea” released as a world music stage production in last April from Mountain Apple Records (mountainapplecompany.com).

When two of the most powerful Hawaiian music stars devote 14 months of their lives to a recording studio the result is pure magic. Blending traditional and contemporary Hawaiian musical styles, Keola and Raiatea have created a CD that is infused with the spirit of the islands and thrives with innovative rhythms.

Continue Reading

Washington, D.C. (June 10, 2010) – The White House Office of the Press Secretary reports that this week, President Barack Obama issued a Proclamation to declare June 11, 2010 as King Kamehameha Day. The Proclamation reads:

Continue Reading

Dixie Latu Riley was nominated posthumously as a longtime community leader who passed away in September 2009 from cancer at just age 58. She is remembered as a tireless and vigilant advocate on the core issues facing the Asian Pacific Islander community.

Continue Reading

Kim Hye-Ja in MOTHER, a Magnolia Pictures release. (Photos courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)

AAP staff report

“Mother” (Magnolia Pictures Rated R), a unique murder mystery about a mother’s primal love for her son, and the latest film from Korean director Bong Joon-ho (The Host), starts Friday, April 2 at the Lagoon Cinema in Minneapolis.

Continue Reading

HONOLULU – (March 4, 2010) – The Aloha International Piano Festival announced last week that world-renowned concert pianists Sara Davis Buechner, Lisa Nakamichi, Noriko Uenaka, Sean Botkin, and Norman Krieger will lead the roster of artists for the fifth annual festival and competition, from June 12 to 19, 2010 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu.

Continue Reading

Washington, D.C. – On February 24, Alicia G. Limtiaco was nominated by President Obama to serve as the United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. If confirmed, Limtiaco will become the first-ever woman to serve as a United States Attorney for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, and she will become only the third Asian Pacific American United States Attorney currently serving in the country.

Continue Reading