(From FrolicHawaii.com 4/22/2013) – Amanda Stevens

Either Monday or Tuesday evening, Hawaii’s Duncan Kamakana will compete in the battle rounds of NBC’s reality show, “The Voice,” performing alongside a fellow member of Team Adam (Maroon 5’s Adam Levine). The singer Levine chooses will move on to the next round, while the other competitor, if not “Stolen” by another judge, will go home.

We recently had a chance to chat with Kamakana, son of Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Jon Osorio, over the phone about his experience on the popular show:

Tell us about your experience with the blind auditions, something our readers might not know from watching the show.

The process leading up to it was long, but once it was my turn, it all moved quickly. Leading up to it, I wasn’t that nervous because performing in front of an audience is not new to me. But right before I went on stage, the nerves kicked in and it went so fast. I don’t remember many details about my performance, I was on auto-pilot. But I can say, I remember the audience was great, they got to their feet and seemed to get into it.

Performing is not new to you. As a singer, musician and song writer, has that experience helped you through this process?

Having my guitar with me has been good, something I am familiar with. But if I move on in this process, I think I will perform with out it sometimes. Performing has been a part of my life for so long. I remember going with my dad when he performs — being used to and comfortable in front of an audience at a young age. But what makes this process different is the aspect of being judged, by actual judges.

Do you have a message for your fans in Hawaii?

The fans in Hawaii are great. I can’t say enough about how thankful I am for their support. They really only got to see me for about five seconds on screen so far, but their support and excitement means a lot to me.

How has your experience been with the other contestants, have you made many friends?

Going into this experience, I wasn’t sure how it would be. I thought it might be like some other reality shows, a dog-eat-dog kind of experience. But not at all. The people on Team Adam are talented and help each other out, and yes, I have made friends with people on the show.

Lastly, what are you looking forward to most, working with Adam Levine?

Adam is an incredible coach with great insight. He notices the little things, and has an incredible ear. He knows so much about pop music, and I am glad he’s my coach.

“The Voice” airs Monday and Tuesday at 7 p.m. Follow #TeamDuncan

Photo by Russell Tanoue

(from NonstopHonolulu.com 1/28/13 -by Amanda Stevens)

All eyes were on the entertainment factor of Sunday’s 2013 Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Fans, sports commentators and NFL officials were all looking for a strong game to secure future Pro Bowls, and consensus from those we talked to at the Aloha Stadium on Sunday was that the players gave us a good game with more intensity than in years past. Although the final score 62-35, with the NFC blowing out the AFC, most of the crowd stayed until the end of the game.

Train performed opening event festivities, while Natalie Ai Kamauu amazed the audience singing “Hawai’i Pono’i” and Brian McKnight wowed the crowd with his rendition of the national anthem. Also, Henry Kapono gave a touching performance in support of our troops during half-time, and Steve Aoki fans were thrilled to have him at the DJ table during parts of the game.

(From FrolcHawaii.com 12/24/2012) – Amanda Stevens

Back to basics — fluid, deliberate, yet not over-structured; that’s the essence of Matt Bruening’s 2013 Holiday collection, BLVQ. Assisted by stylists Lindsay Higa, Geremy Campos and Reise Kochi, Bruening debuted his collection at a holiday fashion show at The Republik on Friday. The event was Super CW’s Last Ever birthday celebration and fundraiser for Pow Wow Hawaii.

The well-organized runway show, produced by Dayna Kalakau, complemented the collection. The décor, music, styling, hair and make-up were fresh, luxe and refined with a boho-urban edge.

We interviewed Bruening after the show. “There is so much going on in the world today that it seems a classic, timeless wardrobe can still speak for itself for the times we face ahead, whether good or bad,” he said. “I wanted to showcase a more luxe and refined side to my aesthetic, while still keeping it fresh, boho-urban and edgy.”

Describe the woman you pictured when you designed this collection?
MB: The woman I pictured is my ideal woman: Sexy, confident and edgy. She’s sexy because she reveals my favorite parts of a woman’s body — back and legs — but never giving it all away at once. Confident because she takes risks in styling choices and never wants to fit in. Edgy because she’s always ahead of the cusp.

Tell us about your choice of colors and shades?

MB: The choice of colors and shades I chose were based on the foundation of black and establishing army green and blush as the new “neutrals” amongst our black, greys, nudes and whites. Basics was the name of the game and I wanted it to be very complimentary but with a minor palette to soften it up.

What is one thing you want people to know about you as a designer and artist?

MB: One thing I think people should know about me as a designer is that I’m not the typical cookie-cutter designer. I’ve decided at a later age that I wanted to design and took a shot at it, after wanting to own my own men’s store. But I learned the basics of it and found a hidden passion and definitely a different outlet of how to express my art. I grew up thinking I would be a professional baseball player or a forensics scientist doing field or lab work, and here I am melding seams and dressing beautiful women around the world. I mean, it’s obviously not a bad thing. What better career and life could I ask for?

Ryan of Ryan Jacobie Salon shares: “I’ve been working with Matt since he was at the APDM program at UH Manoa. Since then, our styles have become more polished and clean. For this collection, the movement of the hair, the texture and styling complements the garments. Some of the fantastic make-up artists who worked with us on this show were Kecia Littman, Holly Tomita, Kimmy Stephens, Risa Hoshino and Bailee Nakaahiki..”

 

BY: AMANDA STEVENS SEP 22, 2012

The Trump Hotel was transformed Friday evening into a posh, roaring ’20s party scene that would make F. Scott Fitzgerald proud. The highly anticipated LUX at the Trump Great Gatsby Party lived up to its promise of being a vintage, chic affair. Dapper gentlemen donned fedoras and straw boater hats, single breasted jackets and tuxedos, while women came dressed as sexy flappers with fringe and feather boas. Others were inspired by Coco Chanel, wearing cloche hats, shift dresses and multiple strands of pearls.

All of the outfits featured in the vintage fashion show were purchased from Goodwill. Fashion Show producer/stylist, Echo, created an exciting blend of the 1920s flapper vibe with an updated twist of softer hair and whimsical accessories. True to speakeasy fashion, the event featured Moët & Chandon Champagne and Belvedere Vodka. One of the featured sponsors was Daeng Gi Moe Ri Hawaii.

LUX at the Trump Great Gatsby Party

Photos by Amanda Stevens

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