By Jason Genegabus

(Lo-res version available via YouTube)

By Jason Genegabus

Image courtesy Up Above Records

As promised in today’s column, I’ve got some expanded coverage of “American Idol” season three finalist Camile Velasco and her new single, a cover of the Bob Marley classic “Guava Jelly.”

Velasco called in last week from Long Beach, Calif., where she’s gearing up for the single’s official release on iTunes and finishing up work on her full-length debut album.

Here’s the complete interview, via Talkshoe, plus an exclusive clip from “Guava Jelly” featuring Stephen Marley:

 Five Minutes With: Camile Velasco: Play Now
 Camile Velasco - "Guava Jelly": Play Now

Want more? Check out Camile’s YouTube channel for a peek into her life, or check out this video from Up Above Records that does a good job of telling her story.

By Jason Genegabus

Lt. Andy Baldwin is back in town this week to host his second annual “Andy Baldwin Keiki Fitness Challenge” at Keiki O Ka ‘Aina Learning Centers in Kalihi.

Check out the video above to find out what he’s been up to, who he’s been hanging out with and his plans for this weekend. Click here for the YouTube version.

Sorry about the focus issues. Camera’s been having problems.

By Jason Genegabus

Star-Bulletin file

I’ve got my hands full tonight with video work, but I wanted to take a minute and pay my respects to the late Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.

There’s not much to say, other than I miss him – as do MANY others here and around the world. We “met” via e-mail back in the mid-90’s when I was a homesick college student in Los Angeles with Internet access and he was venturing out onto the World Wide Web from his Pawaa apartment.

I can remember coming home for summer school in 1996 and watching the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards on TV with my mom. That was the year IZ and the Makaha Sons reunited on stage.

On June 26, 1997, he was gone.

YouTube has a bunch of great videos posted online. I’ll share a few of my favorites after the jump.

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By Jason Genegabus

Star-Bulletin file

As promised, all 11 videos from the winner’s circle at Tuesday’s Hoku Awards are uploaded and ready for viewing after the jump.

My thanks to fellow Star-Bulletin reporter John Berger for his help interviewing the winners.

Enjoy!

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By Jason Genegabus

Met up with the Star-Bulletin’s John Berger at Chai’s on Friday for the Brothers Cazimero’s CD release party in honor of their latest effort, “Destiny.”

As is usually the case with events produced by Chai’s Island Bistro and/or the Mountain Apple Company, there was plenty of good food, lots of movers and shakers from the local entertainment community and no shortage of quality live music.

Before Robert and Roland Cazimero got on stage to play for the crowd at Chai’s, John and I got a chance to talk story about the duo’s new album. Click here for a lo-res version of the video via YouTube.

And be sure to check back tomorrow, when John and I partner up again to bring you live coverage of this year’s Na Hoku Hanohano Awards from the Hawaii Convention Center. We’ll have live results throughout the evening, plus expanded photo and video coverage in addition to what normally appears the next day in print and online at Starbulletin.com.

By Jason Genegabus

Souljah Boy tries to ‘Superman dat wave’ off Waikiki. The hip-pop star was in town for a performance at the 50th State Fair a few weeks back.

By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus video

Here’s the video I shot earlier this week during Colbie Caillat’s performance at the Sheraton Waikiki.

She didn’t perform for very long, but it was cool to see Justin Young up on stage with a national recording artist. Dude has come a long way, and he’s continuing to reach for the stars.

Weekend scoops coming up in a bit…

By Jason Genegabus

So, yesterday was my first day back on the job after a belated Spring Break.

I spent it working on a video about Duane “Dog” Chapman’s press conference at the Kahala (check out the coverage here. Also got a chance to talk story with his son, Leland Chapman, who confirmed a partnership with local boxing legend Jesus Salud to train up-and-coming mixed martial artists.

More about that partnership in my column next week; for now, enjoy the highlights from yesterday’s announcement that “Dog the Bounty Hunter” will return for its fifth season on A&E in July.

By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

Supposed to be on vacation this week, so I’m going to keep this short.

If you missed Jason Mraz last Friday at the Waikiki Shell, I’ve got more pictures and video highlights from the concert after the jump. It was a fun night, with Mraz mixing hits with new material and a couple of interesting covers (Elton John and Bob Marley!?!?) for good measure.

Oh, and I kinda called it… “I’m Yours” was Mraz’s final song, before the encore. I thought it would be the encore.

But you had to love that Mraz used what appeared to be a baritone ukulele (with two G-strings, I think) throughout the night. This guy could probably do a guest set at KCCN’s “Birthday Bash” and kill it with his crossover appeal.

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