Hanging at the Hokus with Living Treasure Lydia Ludin

So the day I decided to start this blog happens to be the day I went to the 31st Na Hoku Hanohano awards. May as well start it off with a bang! Oh... perhaps I should have started with just a "hello world" entry. I don't want you to have a misconception of my seemingly grandios life.

So I was fortunate and honored to be invited (for free) to the Hokus this year by my grandma Lydia Ludin. Okay, she is actually my friend Liloa Nakamatsu's grandma. Liloa passed away a few years ago from cancer and would annually go with grandma Lydia to the Hokus. I had the honor of going in his place this year along with grandma's son Joel, who just moved back from Vegas a few weeks ago.

Grandma Lydia received the Na Hoku Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 for her knowledge of recorded Hawaiian music history. She is a living and walking catalog of Hawaiian music history. Her expertise and knowledge of Hawaiian music and musicians came from her years working at Harry's Music Store in Kapahulu and at the House of Music in Ala Moana Shopping Center. Unfortunately both stores are no longer in business.

It was exciting to see the top names and faces in the music scene come up to grandma Lydia with such respect and adoration. She seemed to know everyone and their business... and they just love her. I met entertainers like Keola Beamer, Weldon Kekauoha and after the awards were over, I got to meet Kumu Hula Keali'i Reichel and Kumu Hula Sonny Ching. Proof below. What an honor and privilege it was to hang at the Hokus with grandma Lydia!

Side note: Grandma Lydia and I could be seen in a background photo on Wednesday's Honolulu Advertiser (page B6 - Home Edition). The photo is of our friend Darin Leong and his wife Lisa who is placing a lei on him. Darin was a finalist in several categories, but unfortunately did not win. You may also be able to see the photo online in a Hoku awards photo gallery at HonoluluAdvertiser.com.

More about the Na Hoku Hanohano awards in my next post!