HONOLULU (April 12, 2011) – The Symphony Exploratory Committee announced today that it has reached a three-year agreement with the musicians of the former Honolulu Symphony Orchestra.

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Medal of Honor recipient PFC Anthony T. Kaho’ohanohano, killed in action in Korea in 1951. (Photo courtesy of Hawai’i Army Museum Society)

Washington, D.C. (April 13, 2011) – The White House Office of the Press Secretary announced that on May 2, 2011, President Barack Obama will award Private First Class Anthony T. Kaho’ohanohano, U.S. Army, and Private First Class Henry Svehla, U.S. Army, the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry.

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 06, 2011) – In an effort to continuously evolve its Grammy Awards process, The Recording Academy announced Wednesday that it has restructured the Grammy Categories across all genres and Fields, keeping the number of Fields the same but reducing the number of Categories from 109 to 78 starting with the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012.

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Sefa Aina

By Sefa Aina and Hines Ward

Washington, D.C. (April 4, 2011) – Over the weekend, more than 1500 Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth and family members joined celebrity fitness trainer, Jillian Michaels, and professional athletes Troy Polamalu and Marcus McNeil at the University of California, Los Angeles, to answer the First Lady’s call.  Our goal: draw attention to the increasing rate of childhood obesity among NHPI youth and promote physical activity and healthy living.

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HONOLULU (March 25, 2011) – Hawaii’s own, Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole, was honored with an Echo Award for Hit of the Year at Germany’s version of the Grammy Awards March 25 in Berlin, Germany.

One of Hawaii’s most beloved recordings – “Over The Rainbow” by Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole – has been dominating the German singles charts, having enjoyed ten straight weeks in the number one position. Featured on the record-breaking CD “Facing Future,” “Over The Rainbow” entered the German singles charts and quickly climbed to the number one position, where it continues to capture the hearts of new IZ fans.

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Sefa Aina is the new vice chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 17, 2011) – Sefa Aina, a leader in the Pacific Islander community and an associate dean of students at Pomona College, will serve as the vice chairman of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islanders. Aina, a member of the Commission, was selected by Commission chairwoman Daphne Kwok to serve as vice chairman.

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Honolulu (January 13, 2011) – The memory of James G. MacArthur, the late film and television star who was best know in his starring role as Danny “Danno” Williams in the original “Hawaii Five-O” television series of the 1970s and early 1980s is being honored with a Celebration of Life at the historic Hawaii Theatre on January 30, 2011 in a public event.

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David Louie

Governor Neil Abercrombie in late December appointed David M. Louie as Attorney General for the State of Hawaii. After confirmation by the Hawaii State Senate, Mr. Louie will be one of only two currently serving Asian Pacific American Attorneys General in the nation.

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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.

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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.

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