MEDIA RELEASE

HONOLULU, HI – 4 Miles LLC proudly presents the first annual May 27 – 30, 2010 at the Hawai’i Convention Center and throughout Waikīkī. The Festival will include the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Luncheon. Overall, the festival highlights its purpose to celebrate the underlying power of music – to share the soul of our unique Hawaiian culture while touching the heart of our common humanity. The four-day music festival develops and augments a living knowledge of Hawaiian music, arts, and crafts through workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and performances of the highest quality and authenticity.

The Music Festival was awarded $150,000 from Hawai’i Tourism Authority’s (HTA) $1.238 million marketing opportunity fund for programs that will help to stimulate short- and long- term travel to Hawai’i.

“We want to elevate the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards to a new level and provide an event that delves deeply into the essence and importance of Hawaiian music,” said Dawn Kaniaupio, one of 4 Miles LLC’s partners. “We anticipate an attendance of 5,000 people from Hawai’i and around the world and from a spectrum of backgrounds including local, national and international artists, musicians at heart, music enthusiasts, music students, and many other supporters of the industry.”

Visitors are expected to participate in workshops and seminars and experience Hawaiian music throughout Waikīkī. The other recipients of HTAʻs marketing opportunity fund included the Shanghai Expo, Japan Airlines (JAL) Marketing, and the Korean Incentive Program in the Meetings, Incentive, Conference, and Exhibitions (MICE) Market.

“HTA sees the Nā HōkÅ« O Hawai’i Music Festival not only as a way to boost travel to Hawaii during a typically slower season, but also as way to showcase our talented artisans and musicians on a global scale,” said Mike McCartney, president & CEO, Hawaii Tourism Authority.  “Through this festival, visitors and residents will have an opportunity to experience and develop a deeper understanding of Hawaii’s rich musical and artistic heritage,” he added.

For 33 years the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Awards have honored and celebrated the contributions of our artists. Our music and culture is unique and appreciated the world over, and with the sponsorship and support of our partners this Festival will elevate and bring recognition to our efforts.

“The Festival is aligned with our mission in promoting our recording industry, Hawai’i’s entertainment industry, and the music of Hawai’i,” Ku’uipo Kumukahi, president, Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts. “This Festival will be on par other national and international events and can only grow in the years to come.”

Festival Format:

Day 1 – Kaniaupio said the first day of the festival would include an opening night cocktail party with welcome remarks from the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA), government officials and presenting sponsors. The purpose is to officially welcome participants and foster interaction between visitors and residents while promoting events throughout the week.

Days 2 – 4 – The highlight of day two is a culturally relevant opening ceremony, featuring a morning speaker. Breakout sessions are scheduled throughout the day with music planned in the evening throughout satellite stages across WaikÄ«kÄ«.

Breakout sessions would continue during the morning of day three with a featured speaker and the Lifetime Achievement Awards Luncheon. The 2010 Lifetime honorees include Ida Keliʻi Chun, Isaacs Ohana (Alvin Sr., Alvin “Barney” Jr., Norman, and Leland), George Kainapau, Makaha Sons of Niʻihau, and Boyce Rodrigues. Evening concerts would continue that night.

Day 4 /finale – Breakout sessions would continue during the morning of day four with a featured speaker. The Festival concludes with the Nā HōkÅ« Hanohano Awards, the biggest annual entertainment event in Hawai’i. The evening will begin with the LIVE HD BROADCAST of the Red Carpet arrivals and will lead into the LIVE HD BROADCAST of the 33rd Annual HawaiÊ»i Academy of Recording Arts Nā HōkÅ« Hanohano Awards.

This year, the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards Show and the Lifetime Achievement Awards documentary will be produced in High Definition (HD). HD produces significantly greater picture resolution than conventional methods. Major world events, including the Grammys, Olympics, and World Cup, are electing HD to fully honor the participants and the beauty that transpires. Likewise, the Nā Hōkū O Hawai’i Music Festival honors the Islands’ best with the best. In addition to broadcasting the awards show and documentary in HD on a network affiliate; the productions will also be distributed via the worldwide web.

“Ultimately, the entire festival serves as a forum for learning while promoting global networking opportunities,” commented Kaniaupio. “Traditional ways of producing, promoting and distributing musical works and music events will be complemented by new media tools and emerging technologies to broaden the festival’s reach.”

Nā Hōkū O Hawai’i Music Festival owner and principal 4 Miles LLC is a Honolulu company consisting of three partners, Ruben Carrillo, owner of Liquid Planet Studios; Dirk Fukushima, owner of Hawaii Stars; and Dawn Kaniaupio, owner of Alphamedia Corporation. Together they have more than 75 years of combined experience in television production. Their passion for their work has resulted in award-winning programs that are relevant in content and committed to the community.