"Hawaiʻi to the World," a televised talent competition launched by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement is looking for “artists, storytellers, comedians, fashion designers and other talented individuals who can proudly represent Hawaiʻi,” according to its website. Five judges and the public will pick their favorite talent from Maui, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu, Japan and the continent.
The television series, broadcast by Hawaiʻi News Now, will be hosted by Emmy Award-winning McKenna Maduli. The show's talent advisor is Shawn Kekoa Pimental, a Grammy-nominated producer and the winner of 11 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards. He also co-leads Kulāiwi.
The judges include Amy Hānaialiʻi, Patrick Makuakāne, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Lehua Kalima and Kealiʻi Reichel. Hānaialiʻi is a six-time Grammy nominee and has 18 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards. Makuakāne is a MacArthur Fellow and renowned kumu hula. Wong-Kalu is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, as well as a composer and cultural ambassador. Kalima is the winner of multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, a founding member of Nā Leo Pilimehana, and part of Kulāiwi. Finally, Reichel, a guest judge for Maui Calls, is a Grammy-nominated artist and kumu hula who has won 36 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards.
Kūhiō Lewis, chief executive officer of CNHA, thanked Blaine Miyasato, the chief branding officer of CNHA, for his work to launch "Hawaiʻi to the World."
“When he came to me with this idea about elevating Hawaiʻi's people, our culture, our talents to the world it just made sense because when you think about it, every single day, some artist, some dancer is getting on a plane to go somewhere in the world to tell our story — to be an extension of Hawaiʻi,” Lewis told attendees at a launch event for the series. “Those are our ambassadors. Those are the people that are helping us to make sure that aloha spirit [and] our moʻolelo is being told. I couldn't think of a better way to endorse that as a Hawaiian organization than to highlight the talent, the gems, the storytelling, the weavers and the designers and all of the talent that we have so that the world can experience what Hawaiʻi has to offer. That's what this is about. This is about elevating our people, advancing Hawaiʻi. Thank you for being a part of this huakaʻi alongside us. It's going to be an amazing show.”
Individuals wishing to participate in the competition should share an audition video that is 5 minutes or less. Fashion designers can submit a video and up to five photos or drawings. Auditions for Maui are now complete.
These are the remaining opportunities to audition:
Kauaʻi: Thursday, June 19
Hawaiʻi Island: Thursday, July 17
Japan: Thursday, Aug. 14
Mainland: Tuesday, Sept. 9
Oʻahu: Thursday, Oct. 9
Auditions in Japan will take place at the Tokyo FM Concert Hall. On the continent, auditions will take place at Tulalip Resort Casino.
The televised finale will be filmed at Ko Olina Resort on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
