(From FrolicHawaii.com 5/31/2015) – Amanda Stevens

Photo by Tina Mahina

Driven, inspired and confident: three words that describe Jeanne Kapela. The 20-year-old was crowned Miss Hawaii 2015 Saturday at the Hawaii Convention Center, after winning the swimsuit and talent competitions with a lyrical dance performance.

Paul Hayashi Photography – All Rights Reserved.

Photo by Tina Mahina.

The talent portion was the most competitive I’ve seen in years, with Tahitian dance, strong vocalists, a karate movement performance, dance interpretations and more. Kapela’s extensive training in classical ballet and contemporary dance (she’s a former Rainbow Dancer) put her ahead of the rest.

I had a chance to chat with Jeanne (pronounced jah-nay) Kapela about her journey:

How long has it been a dream of yours to be Miss Hawaii?

Miss Hawaii has been my goal for the past couple of years now. I used to look up to Miss America and think becoming someone of such influence was out of my grasp, but slowly I realized that nothing is ever out of reach. It’s just up to us to make our dreams reality.

How has the process been getting to this point?

The process has been long, but really fun! I have grown so much in all aspects of my life. In 2014, I held the title of Miss Kona Coffee and placed second runner-up to Stephanie Steuri. No one likes to lose, so I came back as Miss Kakaako with a strong mindset. I worked on all of my weak areas, and stepped onstage feeling comfortable and knowing that I had done all I could to obtain the job of Miss Hawaii.

In the end, you can’t be so focused on the competition or the crown. You just have to focus on yourself and how you can utilize this title to springboard the rest of your life and serve your state.

Who has been your greatest influence?

My grandmother has been my greatest influence. She raised me and shaped my life. She spent countless hours sitting in the dance studio when I was younger so that I could take lessons, which paid off, since I was awarded the talent award.

Unfortunately we lost her to cancer right before the preliminary pageant, but before she passed I told her “Grandma, I promise you, we are going to walk across that Miss America stage together!” Now I get to fulfill that promise. What a blessing!

Tell me about your platform and why you chose it.

My platform is ‘Raising Awareness of Human Trafficking,’ something very close to my heart. I had a cousin who was trafficked here in Waikiki. Her story and pain are what got me involved in the anti-trafficking movement. I have since established the non-profit organization UNITE.

I am also heavily involved in victim-centered outreach and awareness for the state and am working on an education bill to present in the 2016 legislative session. I plan to study law at UH Manoa in the near future.

What is the most important value that you would like to share with youth who aspire to be Miss Hawaii?

If you aspire to be Miss Hawaii, just be you! Be confident and comfortable with who you are. There is no one value that will make you Miss Hawaii. You have to be well-rounded like the four points of the crown: service, success, scholarship and style.

Photo by Tina Mahina

First runner-up: Miss Paradise Kauai, Sarah Manuel (talent: Tahitian)

Second runner-up: Miss North Shore, Keala Patterson (talent: karate movement)

Third runner-up: Miss East Oahu, Hali’alani Parish (talent: vocal – piano “Halo”)

Fourth runner-up: Miss Kahala, Alexandra Roth (talent: vocal – “For Good” from “Wicked”)

(From FrolicHawaii.com 5/14/2015) – Amanda Stevens

Model Citizen features inspirational people in fashion, art and entertainment, who utilize their talents for the good of the community. Meet Model Citizen Moani Hara, Miss Hawaii USA 2014. She’ll be leaving soon for Baton Rouge, Louisiana to compete for the Miss USA title. You can watch the pageant on NBC, on Sunday, June 8. Her send-off party happens on Wednesday at M Nightclub from 5:30-9 p.m., with entertainment, food and prizes, Tickets are $30 at the door and $20 pre-sale.

Hara has long been one of Hawaii’s most sought-after models, but her story goes well beyond beauty and her title. I had a chance to interview her about everything from her role models to her reign as Miss Hawaii USA.

What were your thoughts about Miss Hawaii USA and Miss USA growing up?

I was amazed by their beauty and poise. I admired what Miss Hawaii USA stood for, not just being beautiful, but also being intelligent, and confident — being the whole package. Early on, I recognized that these women encouraged other women and girls to stand tall and to chase any dream you may have. I would watch the Miss USA pageant every year with my mom and think to myself, “One day that will be me.”

Who are your role models?

I have two role models. Of course my mother; without her I wouldn’t have the understanding of what it means to work hard, stay true to yourself, and to always have that inner strength. I carry these values with me always, through the good and the bad. Another is Beyoncé. Not only is she a beautiful and successful woman, but she exudes independence, to stand firm for what you want.

It’s great that you are open about having dyslexia. Could you share a little about some difficulties you’ve faced because of it?

I am proud to have dyslexia, I look at it as a gift. Growing up with dyslexia was very hard. I struggled in math, organizational skills, reading, writing, but surprisingly, I was stronger in English. Thankfully, I attended Assets School from the 6th grade through my senior year. That is where I learned to cope with having dyslexia by learning different techniques and skills, such as breaking up paragraphs during reading. For math, I learned how to not flip signs or numbers, but to use key symbols that would serve as a reminder during problem solving. Also, I was given extra time for tests, an accommodation that is also provided now in college.

What would you like to do with your title should you win Miss USA?

Open as many doors as possible for myself, and others who may come after me who have dyslexia. To begin with, it would be an honor to work with the various causes for Miss USA, such as Best Buddies, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, National Alliance to name a few. My major is communications/public relations, which has contributed to preparing me to have the confidence to be Miss USA, where you are right in the mix, and that’s exactly where I want to be. But most importantly, as Miss USA I would raise awareness about dyslexia. Not enough people know what it really is; there may be some awareness, but I want the true understanding of dyslexia to go global. No child should feel how I did. There is help out there.

What has been something you’ve loved doing since you won Miss Hawaii USA?

I love being able to go out into my community, work with different nonprofit organizations, schools and companies, and being a positive influence for the youth. I love being busy, meeting new people and being able to work with different personalities. This experience has also increased my confidence in public speaking, something that hasn’t always come easy.

What advice do you have for our youth today and the challenges some may face who have a learning disability?

To not stop, never let anything hold you back, whether or not you have a learning disability. If possible, connect with mentors and those who believe in you and support your dreams. You only live once!

Model Citizen- Maoni Hara

(From FrolicHawaii.com 5/15/2015) – Amanda Stevens

The 2012 a cappella surprise hit, “Pitch Perfect,” was true to its title, literally pitch perfect. So needless to say, I knew going into the sequel that it would be hard to live up to the first flick, but the previews seemed “aca-hopeful.”

In the first scene, you’ll see that the Barden Bellas have been on top of their game for three years and have reached the point of distinction; performing in front of a huge audience including the president and his family. Things go terribly wrong when Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) rips her spandex bottoms during an aerial silk performance, mooning the audience and shaming the Bellas, who are subsequently barred from touring and defending their title at nationals.

What didn’t work:

Although funny to the bone, Wilson delivers all-too-predictable one liners that keep coming and coming, until you get anesthetized to her skanky jokes.

The quirky, semi-dark and likeable heroine of the first flick, Becca (Anna Kendrick), got on my nerves a bit; her jokes were played out, and there really wasn’t that giant moment of redemption scene that I saw in the previews. Unfortunate editing decision.

The end was a bit disjointed; it felt like one or two scenes got cut, again, which really affected the film’s crescendo.

There wasn’t enough of Jesse (Skylar Astin). The chemistry between Becca and Jesse was strong in the first flick, and it would have been great to see more of the couple.

What worked:

Das Sound Machine, the uber tall, arrogant German a cappella troupe that dresses like SNL’s Sprockets killed it.

The battle in the basement. The mash-ups were not only an homage to the 1990s, but there was enough current hits that kept every generation in the theater rocking.

Elizabeth Banks was stellar as the raw but classy commentator, and did a good job in her major motion picture directorial debut.

Becca’s boss, the no-nonsense, high-strung music producer who can’t get anyone’s name right played by Keegan-Michael Key.

The final performance, “Flashlight.” That’s all I can say without giving away too much.

Do I recommend it?

Die hard “Pitch Perfect” fans might see past the hiccups, or perhaps they’ll concur with me and be a bit disappointed given all of the hype. But I must say it’s still worth seeing on the big screen.

(From FrolicHawaii.com 4/24/2015) – Amanda Stevens

The ’70s revival is upon us, with throwbacks in fashion, music, and culture all the rage. So when I heard about a local ’70s band making a comeback, I was intrigued.

R&B, blues, funk, original brass bands, jazz, mainstream pop, and even a bit of rock all make up the sound spectrum of Greenwood, a 1970s Hawaii band that’s reemerged in the local music scene over the past decade. They released their latest album/CD, “Lost in Paradise” last October, stirring up ’70s-style nostalgia.

Before I get into the history and relevance of Greenwood, can I just say Bruno Mars and “Uptown Funk” –  Mark Ronson, who wrote, “Uptown Funk” admittedly drew from the same influences that Greenwood grew up listening to; The Gap Band, Earth Wind & Fire, Sugarhill Gang, The Time and Tower of Power. Robin Kimura, creator of Greenwood shared, “People love Bruno’s style and sound because he brings it back old school. His band doesn’t rely on synthesized sound; they keep it real with brass sass, R&B, a bit of rap and funk elements.”

To me, Greenwood embodies the elements of Mars’ new funk, brass, and R&B sound, performing old-school covers with an updated flair.

Greenwood’s roots go back to 1972, when Kimura and his classmate Bradley Choi, both 9th graders at Kaimuki Intermediate School, began recruiting musicians for the original Greenwood band. During the 1970s, the ecology movement was in and fresh, so the band chose the name, Greenwood.

Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, Malo, and Mandrill were the inspirational forces behind Greenwood’s repertoire. Greenwood became a formidable hybrid cover-band with a Latin-rock sound accented with brass. The brass sound and look remained throughout Greenwood’s nine-year run as a dance band.

Back in those days, before there was YouTube, the only way for an up-and-coming band to gain exposure was by performing at high school dances and community halls. Greenwood’s first gig was at a local YMCA for an evening social. The nine players shared a $15 check. After becoming more seasoned, they performed at the Magic Mushroom as a stepping stone into the Waikiki nightclub scene. Greenwood quickly became the premiere “off-night band.” At the height of their run, their weekly schedule was slamming; Sunday’s at the C’est Ci Bon, Monday’s at the Hula Hut, Tuesday’s at the Tiki, Wednesday’s at the Waikiki Beef N’ Grog, with Friday and Saturday gigs on Kauai or Maui.

During their nightclub run, many entertainers joined them on stage including Rocco Prestia and Edward McGee from the Tower of Power, members of Hiroshima, Jimmy Borges, Tony Compton, also Mackey Feary and Gaylord Holomalia of Kalapana.

Greenwood finished an impressive nine-year run in 1981, but in the summer of 1985, Greenwood reunited to record two songs, “Sparkle” and “Cheerleader Strut,” on Forest in Leaf records as a 45-rpm single. Taking songs that were originally recorded in Japan, Greenwood re-arranged and translated the recordings to fit the local market.

FTR GREENWOOD – Original bandmembers of Greenwood posed for a group shot. Front row: Miles Ichida, Curt Takahama, Owen Kajiwara and Duayne Higa. Back row: Michael Chock, Brad Choi, Mark Silva, Randy Hoo and Robin Kimura. Only Steve Lee is missing from the original assemble. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Photo by Cindy Ellen Russell, 01-16-05

In 2005, Greenwood reunited after 23 years at the 70s Nightclub Reunion event that featured five bands from that era. It was such a success that the band continues to do “Reunion” gigs today.

Japan loves Greenwood, and vinyl is making a comeback. In 2008 a vintage shop in Japan got a hold of a 45-rpm of “Sparkle” and subsequently asked the band to send over all the copies that they had. Long story short, Greenwood’s English version of Japanese songs flew to the top of the charts. DJ Muro included “Sparkle” on his compilation CD “Hawaiian Breaks” and later played the song in clubs as part of his dance mix, giving “Sparkle” a second life. “Sparkle” hit #1 on the Jet Set Records soul/funk category and #2 in the R&B category in December 2009.

Bruno Mars is amazing, but if you want to hear a band that lived through the real “Uptown Funk” era, check out Greenwood.

You can find Greenwood’s music at Hungry Ear Records and Jelly’s, plus downloads on iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon.com, Google Play and Shazam. Their next performance will be at the 70’s Nightclub Reunion Plus on Aug. 8, at the Ala Moana Hotel. They’ll be playing classics such as “Play that Funky Music,” “Ladies Night” and my favorite funk song that I first heard from the “Roll Bounce” movie soundtrack, “Hollywood Swinging.”

(From FrolicHawaii.com 4/24/2015) – Amanda Stevens

“Little Boy” takes place following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in the fictional, coastal California town of O’Hare. Eight-year-old Pepper Flint Busbee (Jakob Salvti), who is extremely small for his age, is constantly bullied. He takes comfort in his only confidante, his father, James. Michael Rapaport does a great job portraying a loving dad with a youthful spirit. Oscar nominee Emily Blunt is impeccable as Pepper’s no-nonsense mother, Emma. I must say, it took a bit of getting used to, to see Kevin James, playing a semi-creepy Dr. Fox.

When Pepper’s dad goes off to war and is later assumed to be a prisoner of war, he asks the local priest, played by Tom Wilkinson, for help. That’s when the story takes flight. Father Oliver gives Pepper a list of good deeds to perform that provide lessons in tolerance; meanwhile Pepper believes completing the deeds will bring his dad home. Actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is a highlight of the film, as Hashimoto, a Japanese American immigrant recently released from a Japanese internment camp. Hashimoto is scorned by the townsfolk in O’Hare, but encouraged by Father Oliver to befriend Pepper. Tagawa portrays his character with dignity, angst and tenderness, without crossing the line of sentimentality. This particular story line hit close to home for me, considering what unfolded for Hawaii’s own Japanese American community during World War II.

With the wave of faith-based movies breaking into the mainstream over the past decade, there’s been the good, the bad and yes, even the ugly. “Little Boy” falls in the good category. Director Alejandro Monteverde doesn’t push the religious envelope; it’s more of a family-friendly film with heart, tears and fun moments.

I had a chance to chat with Tagawa after Thursday’s screening:

You could have previewed the film in New York, Miami or Los Angeles. Why did you choose to watch it here in Hawaii?

Seeing it here in Hawaii, where I consider home, meant everything to me. I have deep ties here in the islands, and being able to watch it here, where so many Japanese Americans live, where the aloha spirit lives, is very special. It’s also very special watching it with members of the Japanese Cultural Center and the group who was instrumental in sharing the story of the Honouliuli Internment Camp.

Jason Jones of Movie to Movement, Cheryl Witbeck general manager of Trinity Broadcast Network (who co-presented the film) and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa.

Movie to Movement bought out five theaters to present the film for free for attendees on Wednesday and Thursday. Donations received after the screening will benefit the Iraqi Christian League Council supporting tens of thousands of refugees in Iraq.

“Little Boy” opens tonight at Regal Theaters; Dole Cannery, Pearl Highlands and Windward Stadium.