Oscars Best Song: Will 'Moana' upset 'La La Land?'

Don't miss the performance of Auli'i Cravalho singing "How Far I Go" from Moana.

THE ODDS ON favorite at this year's Academy Awards airing tonight (Feb. 26) is La La Land's "City of Stars" in the best song category but don't be surprised if the song from Moana pulls off an upset. 

Disney has brought out the big guns to give the song "How Far I'll Go" from Moana a chance against favorite "City of Stars." Award-winning song writer Lin-Manuel Miranda will be performing with the 16-year old Auli'i Cravalho, who did the voice and singing for the animated title character of the Disney film Moana.

During rehearsal, the fresh-faced vocal powerhouse surprised onlookers and earned a spontaneous standing ovation at the end of her performance.

While the performance will channel the island feel of Moana, the Hawaiian teenager thinks it will also transcend the film: “It’s distinctly Moana, and at the same time it’s something where people will think, ‘Wow, that is a stunning piece.’”

If his song wins, Miranda will be the youngest performer to win the trifecta of the Tony, the Grammy and the Oscar. He earned the Tony and Grammy for Broadway musical hit Hamilton, which he wrote and starred in.
Auli'i is of course rooting for “How Far I’ll Go” to go all the way and win for best original song -- “It’s such an exciting time for Lin-Manuel, he’s right there and has almost got that EGOT” -- but says she’s also a fan of “City of Stars,” and looks forward to hearing John Legend’s rendition. She also mentions that she's a fan of Sting (who will perform his song “The Empty Chair” from Jim: The James Foley Story and Justin Timberlake.

As she speaks, glimmers of her character Moana shine through -- her excitement and passion for all that lies ahead is evident in every word.

“I could have never imagined that at 16 years old I would be having such amazing experiences like this,” she says. “I’ve been able to travel around the world and really share what Moana is about. The moral of our story is figuring out who you are, and listening to that voice deep down inside you, and I have been able to connect to that so much. [Moana] has that call for more, and I think for everyone -- no matter if you’re a teenager like me or someone who is in the prime of their lives -- there’s always going to be that call.”

TGIF FEATURE: The Rock sings "You're Welcome" in "Moana"

Auliʻi Cravalho is the voice for the animated Moana.

DWAYNE, "THE ROCK" JOHNSON, a former professional wrestler and football player, is more than a muscle-bound, action movie star.

In the upcoming animated movie, Moana, he displays his singing talent. He sings "You're Welcome," a brand new song written for the movie by Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame.

RELATED: First trailer for Moana

For centuries, the greatest sailors in the world masterfully navigated the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, 3,000 years ago, their voyages stopped for a millennium – and no one knows exactly why. 

Moana is a sweeping, animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people. Inexplicably drawn to the ocean, Moana (voice of Auliʻi Cravalho) convinces the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Johnson) to join her mission, and he reluctantly helps her become a way finder like her ancestors who sailed before her. 

Together, they voyage across the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills her quest and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. 

In casting of the voices, Disney sought Pacific Islanders to play the main roles. The selection of Johnson, who is Samoan/American, was a no-brainer. He is the highest-paid movie star in Hollywood.

In open auditions, Disney found Cavalho, who is Hawaiian/American.

Moana” sails into U.S. theaters on Nov. 23.

OLYMPICS: Hawaiian athletes were destined to excel in volleyball

USAVolleyball

Volleyball Olympian Micah Christenson serves

HAWAII will be paying close attention to the exploits of the Men's Volleyball Team at the Rio Olympics next week. That state placed three of their own on the team. Micah Makanamaikalani Christenson and the brothers Shoji.

What is it about the island state that produces great volleyball players? It must be all that time running and playing at the beach.

Or ... it could just be good genes. As you read about Micah, Kawiki and Erik, you'll learn that their parents had a strong influence on their sons'  choice of sports.

Micah Christenson

Hawaiian/American

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Setter

Height: 6-6 (198cm)

Weight: 190 (86kg)

DOB: 5/8/1993

Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

High School: Kamehameha High School

College: USC '15, human biology with business minor

Personal: Full name is Micah Makanamaikalani Christenson. Makanamaikjalani means "Gift from Heaven." Micah's parents gave him that name because his mother had to have surgery while pregnant with Micah and it was not known if he would survive... Father Robert played basketball at the University of Hawaii-Hilo... Mother Charlene played volleyball at Hilo, where she won three national championships and was named a two-time All-American

Quote: “I just tried to do my job and work as hard as I could. I don't like just coming in and expecting any type of respect from anybody. I think you have to earn it. I tried to keep my head down and work as hard as I could and do the best that I could to earn my teammates' trust and support.” 

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Kawika Shoji

Hawaiian/Japanese/American

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Setter

Height: 6-3 (198cm)

Weight: 194 (88kg)

DOB: 11/11/1987

Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

High School: Iolani School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

College: Stanford University ('10, Political Science)

Personal: Parents are Dave and Mary Shoji. Father is University of Hawaii women's volleyball coach and has won four national titles in 34 seasons. He also has the most wins in NCAA DI women’s volleyball history. Mother played basketball at Hawaii... Married wife Megan in 2014... Has a brother, Erik (1989) and a sister Cobey (1979). Erik plays libero for the U.S. Men’s National Volleyball Team... Also plays golf

Quote: “I think we’ve always had the dream. But I don’t know if I could have told you 10 or 15 years ago that we’d be playing together on the national team.” Kawika Shoji on playing with his brother Erik

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Erik Shoji

Hawaiian/Japanese/American

Sport: Volleyball

Position: Libero

Height: 6-0 (184 cm)

Weight: 160 lbs (75kg)

DOB: 8/4/1989

Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

High School: Punahou School '08

College: Stanford University '12

Personal: Parents are Dave and Mary Shoji. Dave has been women's volleyball coach at the University of Hawaii for more than 40 years and is the winningest coach in NCAA DI women's volleyball history. Mary played basketball at the University of Hawaii... Older brother Kawika also played volleyball for Stanford and also plays on the U.S. Men's National Team. The brothers also have an older sister named Cobey... Majored in human biology at Stanford

Quote: “Growing up you never know if you can get this far but it was always my dream. Now that the team has qualified, I need keep working to make the roster. There’s always competition and young guys coming up, so you always have to be ready to work hard. You always have to be prepared because there’s always someone who wants to come and take your job.”

TGIF FEATURE: Hawaiian high school's unforgettable graduation goes viral - AGAIN!

                                                                                                                                          MoStreet Productions

KAHUKU HIGH and Intermediate School on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii did it again. Their elaborate graduation performance has become a legendary tradition and the video of their graduation has gone viral, just like it did last year, and the year before that, and ...

RELATED: One of the coolest graduations you'll ever see

The school was founded in 1897 to serve the children of the sugar cane workers that worked the nearby fields. Today it has about 1500 students from 7th to 12th grades. You'll note from the video that Pacific Islanders make up of about 60 percent the school, almost double the average Hawaiian high school. 

On May 19, the 2016 graduating class of Kahuku High continued the tradition of grand graduation performances; this year throwing in a tribute to Prince, the Running Man, pop songs and concluding with a powerful haka, a traditional dance and chant from Polynesia that is performed on important occasions. 

RELATED: Hawaiian strips down for graduation

I don't know about your high school graduation but mine was nothing like theirs. I absolutely love their school spirit and their pride in their heritage. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2016!

The seniors of Kahuku High & Intermediate School continued the tradition of a graduation performance.

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For more news about Asian/Americans & Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.

A hula for the ages

Kayli Kaʻiulani Carr tells a story through the hula.

THE HULA has become such an essential - some say trite - part of the tourist experience in Hawaii that it is easy to forget the significant role it plays in retaining the culture and heritage of native Hawaiians.

You won't find grass skirts and coconut shell bras at the 53rd Marrie Monarch Festival, a celebration of the hula held annually. Earlier this month, Kayli Ka'iulani Carr, 25, won the  competition to be named the 2016 Miss Aloha Hula.

For many native Hawaiians, hula is not simply a dance, but a way of life. In ancient Hawaii, hula was a way of communicating stories and perpetuating the traditional culture — a lesson that Carr takes seriously. She was one of the 12 contestants representing their hula schools. She is from the 10-year old Kalihi-based Hālau Hiʻiakainamakalehua, a relatively new school.

Social media is still buzzing about Carr's performance on the first night of the contest when she performed a fast-paced traditional hula. Part of the hula included an oli, a chant in the Hawaiian language, which she delivered, appearing at times that as if she was in a trance.  The oli, "Mele Inoa No Kīhāpiʻilani," exalted the royal line of Liholiho. But you don't have to understand it to appreciate the intensity of her performance.

That set up her inquired khaki (traditional hula), with strong and precise movements.

“It felt awesome, wonderful,” said Carr, who performs at Chief's Luau at Sea Life Park. “I really just tried to be in the moment. I mean, it’s only 14 minutes and you work so hard. You work for four months to get to this point. I didn’t want it to pass me by too quickly.”

Watch Carr's performance and see if it doesn't raise the hair on your arms.

"The Eddie" surfing competition honors Hawaiian lifeguard

Big-wave competitors attempt to grab a wave at Waimea Bay yesterday.

FOR A FEW brief hours, the eyes of the surfing world were on the North Shore of Oahu where the "The Eddie" big-wave competition was being held. 

Conditions need to be just right for the Eddie Aikau competition to be called. Consistent wave faces of at least 30 feet in Waimea Bay throughout the day.

Eddie Aikau

In over 30 years, those requirements have only been met 9 times, including Thursday, Feb. 25. The event was last held in 2009.

The competition is named after Eddie Aikau, a legendary Hawaiian lifeguard who was lost at sea. In 1978, the 31-year-old Aikau joined an expedition to sail a replica of an old Polynesian canoe 2,500 miles to Tahiti. During the trip the canoe sprung a leak. Aikau pulled off his jacket and paddled for help. He was never seen again.

He was the North Shore's first official lifeguard. With more than 10 years in the lifeguard tower at Waimea Bay, making over 500 rescues with no loss of life on his watch.

Elite surfers from around the globe grabbed their boards and hopped on planes when organizers gave the green light for the event earlier in the week, despite the fact that it could be canceled at any time. 

Within hours of the organizers' announcement, thousands of onlookers descended on Waimea Bay where the Super Bowl of surfing was being held.
Clyde Aikau, 66, Eddie's younger brother, was the sentimental favorite. He won the event back in 1986 using his big brother's surfboard. This  year, he ended up in the 20th spot before announcing his retirement from professional surfing.

Hawaii's John John Florence, who wasn't even born when the contest began, won the $75,000 first place prize. For years, the 23-year old has been tabbed the next great surfer in the world, and on Thursday, Feb. 25, the Haleiwa native sealed the deal by winning big-wave surfing’s most prestigious contest.

Those in the competition will all tell you, they do it to honor the greats who preceded them led by Eddie Aikau. Around the beaches of the North Shore, you'll see an occasional beat-up, faded bumper sticker. It says simply, "Eddie Would Go."

Watch Kala Alexander and Makuakai Rothmans collide in one of the

bigger waves at this year's Eddie.

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For more news about Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.