The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce
Selects Peter Apo and Nake`u Joel Awai
As the 2008 ‘Ō‘ō Award Recipients

Noted Hawaiian cultural expert, musician, poet, songwriter and businessman, Peter Apo, and fashion designer Nake‘u Joel Awai, have been selected as the honorees for the 2008 ‘Ō‘ō Awards by the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. The prestigious award is presented to Native Hawaiians who have contributed to the betterment of Hawaiians, their communities and their professions.

The benefit dinner will be held on Friday, April 25, 2008 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. No-host *censored*tails and silent auction will begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m., and the awards ceremony, at 8 p.m. Proceeds from the event go to support scholarships and programs for Native Hawaiian youth, entrepreneurs and businesses.

Peter Apo

Director of Culture & Education and a founding member of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association, Apo was instrumental in continuing the work of former ‘Ō‘ō award-winner Dr. George Kanehele in providing a "Hawaiian Sense of Place" training program for visitor industry workers.

Apo's professional career spans 27 years in public service in Hawai‘i. In 1975, Apo was elected the first chair of the Wai‘anae Neighborhood Board. He then served as a Trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a legislator for 12 years in the State House of Representatives, Director of Culture and Arts for the City and County of Honolulu under Mayor Jeremy Harris, and finally, as Special Assistant to the Governor on Hawaiian Affairs.

Born in Lahaina, Apo, the youngest of four children, and his siblings were raised on O‘ahu. Apo finds it interesting to note that he attended Catholic Maryknoll School but finished high school as a boarder at the Prostestant-founded Mid-Pacific Institute. After graduation, he spent his college years at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Drawn by the 60's folk music rage, Apo left college and spent the next eight years on-the-road with his band, the Travelers 3.

As one third of the Traveler's 3, Apo traveled cost-to-coast with Charlie Oyama, also from Hawai‘i, and Dick Shirley, performing at such popular venues as The Troubadour and Ash Grove in Los Angeles, The Gate of Horn in Chicago, The Buddhi in Oklahoma City, The Ice House in Pasadena, The Golden Bear in Huntington Beach, and The Blue Angel in New York. The group achieved popularity among folk audiences and recorded four albums; three with Capitol and one with Elektra Records.

In 1975 Apo returned to his Hawai‘i roots where he began to examine what it meant to be a Hawaiian. This soul searching resulted in a new appreciation for his Hawaiian ancestry and ancestral home. Apo's personal journey and study of Hawaiian culture, traditions and values has opened up a new career for him. Today, as head of the Peter Apo Company, he is sought after as a consultant for development and educational projects in the islands.

Also a songwriter, Apo began writing music in his late twenties. In the 1980's, after 10 years of leaving the music scene, he teamed up with the talented Del Beazely. They recorded their first CD, Apo & Beazeley, under Apo's Mamo Records label. It won a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for Most Promising New Artist(s). Apo reinvests all of the proceeds from Mamo Records to record and preserve more Hawaiian music.

The father of 4 and grandfather of 7, Apo lives with his wife Joan, a child psychologist, in ‘Aiea. He is active on a number of boards and commissions, including Chairman of the Board of the Historic Hawai‘i Foundation, Chair of Pacific Islanders in Communications, and Board member of the Friends of ‘Iolani Palace, the Hawai‘i Arts Alliance and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Hawaiian Advisory Council.

Nake‘u Joel Awai

After graduating from the Kamehameha School for Boys in 1956 and finishing his Bachelor of Arts degree in drama from the University of Washington, Nake‘u spent the following fifteen years living in New York City, Europe, Reno and Hollywood, performing in theatre, television and casinos.

While a stage dancer in Hollywood, Nake‘u and his partner began creating macramé fashions which were very popular in the sixties. They were worn by such stars as Elvis Presley, Lena Horne, Carol Burnett and Goldie Hawn.

In 1978 Nake‘u returned to Honolulu where he started his design firm, Nake‘u. Drawing upon his theatrical background, he also began staging historical fashion shows depicting Hawaiian fashions worn during the monarchy period. These became a signature event for him and were seen by thousands of kama‘āina and visitors.

Assisted by Betsy Ihara, a former pattern maker with ‘Iolani Sportswear, and Alice Mitamura, Nake'u's fashion business thrived. Today, young Hawaiian and island designers look to Nake'u as a successful role model. He serves as a mentor to them dispensing realistic advice and words of encouragement.

Nake‘u can be found daily at his studio on Houghtailing Street except for special events like the Merrie Monarch and occasional trips to Japan. On Sunday mornings, he volunteers at Native Books/Nā Mea Hawai‘i, a business he helped start with Maile Meyer. The store, located on the ‘Ewa end of Ward Warehouse, carries a large selection of his fashions.

Over the years, Nake'u's distinctive island fashions were carried by Carol & Mary, Liberty House and Cook's Discoveries in Waimea. He developed unique prints for his fabrics, a process he learned from friend and mentor, Allen Akina. Nake‘u has alsocommissioned special designs from such local artists as Richard Vyse, Hiko Hanapi, Wainwright Piena, Sig Zane, and most recently, kapa maker Moana Eisele and artist/musician Doug Tolentino.

Nakeu's dramatic flair for producing exciting fashion extravaganzas has won him thousands of loyal fans. His annual pre-holiday fashion shows at Ko‘olau Golf Clubhouse have been a sellout.

‘Ō‘ō Awards

Established 32 years ago in 1976, the ‘Ō‘ō Awards have become one of the most prestigious honors presented to outstanding Native Hawaiians who, through their talents, have made significant contributions to improve our communities and the status of Native Hawaiians.

To date, there have over 50 recipients of this important award including such notable Native Hawaiian men and women as Kane S. Fernandez, Kenneth F. Brown, John D. Bellinger, Oswald Stender, Gladys A. Brandt, Haunani Apoliona, Monsignor Charles Kekumano, Wright Bowman, Sr., Aunty Mary Lou Kekuewa and Paulette Kahalepuna, Andy Poepoe, Herb Kawainui Kane, Dr. Michael J. Chun, David M. Peters and more.

The annual event is the Chamber's primary fundraiser and proceeds go to support the organization's college scholarship, business mentoring and student internship programs. The evening will include a special Hawaiian-themed dinner and a silent auction featuring unique items from Native Hawaiian craftsmen, artists and businesses.

This year's theme, "Kū I Ke Ao (Kū of the Light)" represents the strength of the Hawaiian people and their commitment to preserving their precious heritage and traditions. Once again, local artist Carl Pao has interpreted this theme in a series of spectacular banners created especially for this event. They will decorate the ballroom.

Award-winning kumu hula Kaleo Trinidad and his hālau will perform a specially choreographed oli for the event.

"We're very proud to honor Peter Apo and Nake'u Joel Awai this year," said Jim Kimo Guequierre, NHCC president." They have both prospered in highly competitive fields, yet they have kept true to Hawaiian values," he stated.

Table levels are as follows and include seating for ten people: Corporate level, $1,500 and Supporter level, $850. Platinum tables are available for $3,000 and will include special amenities.

Early reservations are encouraged for the best seating and can be made by calling Kaleo Paik at 808.342.9236.You may also call Stephen Ka‘a‘a, Ō‘ō Awards chairperson, at 808.738.4711 or email skaaa@fhb.com.

For information about NHCC and the ‘Ō‘ō Awards, please visit our website at www.nativehawaiian.cc .

Founded in 1974, the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce strives to encourage and promote the interests of Native Hawaiians engaged in business and the professions. NHCC members participate in a variety of areas, including economic, social and public affairs.

NHCC's mission is "to strengthen Native Hawaiian businesses and professions by building on the foundation of relationships, resources and Hawaiian values: Aloha, Ala Kai‘ina, Lokahi, Kekela, Pono, Ho‘oko, Ha‘aha‘a, and, Ha‘aheo."

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