HEATING | FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017 UP BIG ISLAND ENTERTAINMENT AND SCENE | WEST HAWAII TODAY DRAWING Hawaiian Idol returns for 14th year Hawaiian Idol, a showcase 6 Grace Vallez belts out “Strawberry Wine” by Deanna Carter at the Hawaiian Idol semifinals on April 15 at KBXtreme. PHOTOS BY LAURA RUMINSKI/WEST HAWAII TODAY of the Big Island’s finest karaoke stars, is heating up and drawing crowds. Now in its 14th year, the free month-long competition heads into the last of three semifinals this Saturday evening at KBXtreme in Kailua-Kona. “It’s a good show. If you like watching “The Voice” or “American Idol,” you’ll enjoy it,” said Summer Carrick, marketing director for KBXtreme, which sponsors the annual competition along with Kona Brewing Co. and KWXXFM. Each week, the competition draws hundreds to the bowling alley above Lanihau Center to see who’s got the skills and voice to make it big time. The crowd also takes part in the fun via live voting that’s used as a tie-breaker and in selecting a Fan Favorite by liking or “hearting” snippets posted on social media. “On April 8, there was no seats,” said Carrick. “People were standing all in the hallway, all the way down Chubby’s.” And that crowd was there April 15 when contestant Kahi Kaaua took the stage to perform “Drops of Jupiter” by Train. Though a karaoke lounge regular, he’d never performed before a crowd of hundreds. “This is where it’s going to be my proving ground,” said Kaaua before his performance. “This is where it’s going to show me if I have what it takes.” His strategy was to just get up there and enjoy the moment. “You get your butterflies and that’s normal but once you get in your rhythm, just zone everything out, block everything out, be one with the song, listen to your voice and adjust as you go and try and touch the crowd and be genuine,” he said. That same crowd is expected again at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday when the last of BY CHELSEA JENSEN WEST HAWAII TODAY cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com Hawaiian Idol past winners 2016 — Samantha Davage 2015 — Victor Soma 2014 — Shina Romero 2013 — Alana Rilea Johnson 2012 — John Tuiono 2011 — Bryant Tadeo 2010 — Kalani Pe’a 2009 — Wim Koki 2005 — Gerald Farm 2004 — Erik Wahilani 2003 — Siona Fruean
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