Skylark Rosetti-Ota next presented a lifetime achievement
award posthumously to Charles "Pops" Pahinui -
"Gabby". "With his craggy voice and an ice cold
beer by his side you'd hardly take him for the icon, the legend,
the genius, but he was all these things". Born April 22,
1921 into a dirt poor lei selling family when times were tough. 
His friends called him Gabby not because he
talked a lot but from what he called his gabardine hair. When he
used to swim the water would just roll off his hair. He dropped
out of school after the fifth grade to help his impoverished
family. He used to hang out with Hawaiian musicians from whom he
learned music and especially slack key. By his teens he was in demand
among combos playing in small clubs. Through the years he played
in over 200 clubs in Honolulu. It was in the 1970's that he was
"discovered" when the album called brown
"Gabby" was released. Other albums followed. Gabby
became a figurehead, an icon, a pied piper not to his generation
but to his childrens'. He paved the wave for many musicians to
come. He became known as "Pops". On October 13, 1980,
Gabby died while playing a round of golf. He was only 59. The
accolades had come too late. The award was accepted by the
Pahinui Ohana.
Aunty Genoa Keawe next introduced the sons, daughters and grandchildren of "Gabby" Pahinui with the Native Hawaiian Band singing "Hi'ilawe".
Sistah Robi Kahakalau next presented the award for Male Vocalist of the Year. The nominees were John Cruz for "Acoustic Soul", Dennis Kamakahi for "Pua Ena - Glow Brightly", Israel Kamakawiwo'ole for "N Dis Life", Moe Keale for "Imagine and Dennis Pavao for "Sweet Leilani". The Male Vocalist of the Year Award was given to Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Again Gaylord Holomalia and Jon de Mello accepted for IZ. "He loves you and he loves Hawaii. He says one word and it opens up the spirit."
Robert and Roland Cazimero next presented the award for Group of the Year. The nominees were Ehukai for "Ehukai", Ho'okena for "Ho'okmaha'o", the Ho'opi'i Brothers for "Ho'omau - To Perpetuate", the Ka'au Crater Boys for "Making Waves" and the Mâkaha Sons for "Kûikawâ". The Group of the Year Award was given to the Ho'opi'i Brothers. The Hongos next introduced last year's Group of the Year, Nâ Leo Pilimehana, who performed "Poetry Man".
Keali'i Reichel then presented the award
for Favorite Entertainer of the Year. This award is chosen
through public voting at record stores 
statewide. After the preliminary voting ten
finalists are chosen and voted by ballots and by statewide
telephone polling. All of this is administered by the Hawaii
Jaycees. The 1997 Favorite Entertainer of the Year as chosen by
the people of Hawaii was Brahdah IZ, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. A
special thank you went out to his cyber ohana.
The final and most anticipated award of the night was the award for Album of the Year was presented by Marlene Sai. Citing the goal of HARA being to "celebrate and perpetuate the music and music makers of Hawaii" and looking forward to another twenty years. For the best recorded effort of an album, cassette or compact disk by a local resident artist, the nominees were "Acoustic Soul" performed by John Cruz, "Anthology I 1984-1996" performed by Na Leo Pilimehana, "Hahani Mai" performed by Kekuhi Kanahele, "Kûikawâ" performed by the Mâkaha Sons, and "N Dis Life" performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. To the surprise of no one, the Album of the Year Award was given to "N Dis Life". Moe Keale, IZ's Uncle gave thanks on behalf of the Kamakawiwo'ole family. Gaylord Holomalia gave thanks to all of those who performed on the album.
The show ended by all of the artists joining on stage to sing "Hawai'i Aloha."
E Hawai'i, e ku'u one hânau e,
Ku'u home kulaîwi nei,
'Oli nô au i nâ pono lani e.
E Hawai'i, aloha e.
O Hawai'i, O sands of my birth,
My native home,
I rejoice in the blessings of heaven.
O Hawaii, aloha.
Hui
E hau'oli nâ 'ôpio o Hawai'i nei
'Oli e! 'Oli e!
Mai nâ aheahe makani e pâ mai nei
Mau ke aloha, nô Hawai'i.
Chorus
Happy youth of Hawaii
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Gentle breezes blow
Love always for Hawaii.
E hai'i mai kou mau kini lani e,
Kou mau kupa aloha, e Hawai'i.
Na mea 'ôlino kamaha'o nô luna mai.
E Hawai'i, aloha e.
May your divine throngs speak,
Your loving people, O Hawaii.
The holy light from above.
O Hawaii, aloha.
Nâ ke Akua e mâlama mai iâ'oe,
Kou mau kualono aloha nei,
Kou mau kahawai 'ôlinolino mau,
Kou mau mâla pua nani e.
God protects you,
Your beloved ridges,
Your ever glistening streams,
Your beautiful flower gardens.
E hau'oli na 'opio o Hawai'i nei
'Oli e! 'Oli e!
Mai na aheahe makani e pa mai nei
Mau ke aloha, no Hawai'i.
This translation is from Na Mele o Hawai'i Nei collected by Samuel
Elbert and Noelani Mahoe.
