Music industry sings
the blues for local biz

A state-sponsored seminar
searches for ideas to help
isle musicians

By Jerry Tune
Star-Bulletin

Music producer John Tilton wants local government to set up an enterprise zone in Honolulu in order to create a place for Hawaiian music similar in atmosphere to jazz-filled Bourbon Street in New Orleans or Rush Street in Chicago.

Tilton, vice president of Tihati Productions, spoke yesterday to about 80 people who attended a seminar on how to help the Hawaiian music industry and, specifically, how to ease the loss of jobs for musicians in Waikiki.

An enterprise zone can eliminate excise taxes for up to seven years, said Seiji Naya, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which sponsored the seminar.

The audience included people from the music and visitor industries and legislators.

Tilton said fewer Hawaiian entertainers were being used in Waikiki because of rising expenses to tour wholesalers and the changing tastes of tourists who want shows "with more bells and whistles like Las Vegas."

Conventions normally have a first night of Hawaiian music, but then settle into theme parties that don't include local music, he said.

Others at the seminar noted that some large entertainment areas in hotels are seldom used at all because of drops in attendance at the big shows.

According to a fact sheet prepared for the seminar, there are only about 20 to 30 venues in Waikiki that feature Hawaiian music and there is only one all-Hawaiian music and dance show in Waikiki, the Kodak Hula Show.

While younger tourists to Waikiki are more interested in ocean recreation, Naya pointed out that there are older Japanese women who take hula lessons and this is a trend in Japan. He suggested more programs in Hawaii to teach hula.

Other ideas at the meeting included:

Using a nonprofit corporation to follow the lead of Preservation Hall in New Orleans, which employs jazz musicians and sells music through the Sony label. Kakaako, an area administered by the state's Hawaii Community Development Authority, is one possible location.

Alex Achimore, the authority's development program director, said one couple worked hard in New Orleans to make Preservation Hall successful. "We are looking for that kind of spark here," he said.

Using a public-private sector partnerships to get Hawaiian music promoted outside the state.

Compiling a resource directory of Hawaiian music entertainers, similar to what is used to promote the film industry in Hawaii.

Extending the Kodak Show to a traveling troupe. Entertainer Van Diamond cited examples of Russia and Mexico in sponsoring cultural music/dance organizations.

Jon de Mello, chief executive officer at Mountain Apple Records, talked about the popularity of Hawaiian music in recordings that are sent to the mainland, Asia, and Europe.

Hawaiian music generates $8 million in annual retail sales and 15 percent of this is in Europe, Japan and mainland United States, according to the state. The majority of sales are in Hawaii.

De Mello also said the loss of Hawaiian music in the "big Waikiki showrooms" is a cyclical experience. "I believe it will come back," he said.