It is pretty unfair for me to state my opinion on a singer when I have never heard her sing live, or much less heard more than one song of hers. Judging by Another Dumb Blonde, I would say Hoku has some dofinate talent. I'll state a better opinion in a few weeks, when I have heard her CD and my opinion is fair.

(Taken from HokuOnline.com) The song starts with a confident and fresh female voice making a personal declaration. I think that it's time that I should just let you go/So I'll tell it to your face instead of telling you on the phone, the singer admits, but instead of the tune spiraling downward, a punchy drum beat soon kicks in and an irresistible melody follows. And in no time, the listener is whisked into a world where "girl power," in the very best sense of the term, rules. But who is this singer?

Well, her name is Hoku and the song is "Another Dumb Blonde," and it marks one of those near-perfect pop moments where a new voice makes not only its debut on the US music scene, but an incredible impression at the same time. The track can be found on the soundtrack to the anticipated Nick Movies/Paramount motion picture, SNOW DAY (Geffen), set for release in January 2000. The film, which stars Chevy Chase, Pam Grier, Chris Elliot and a strong ensemble cast of rising young talent, traces one magical "snow day" where anything can, and often does, happen. It's a remarkable story, much like Hoku's.

Born and raised in Hawaii, the 17 year-old Hoku (which, not quite coincidentally, means "star" in Hawaiian) has been singing and performing ever since she can remember. This wasn't by accident. Hailing from a very musical family, her father is well known singer Don Ho, who scored an international hit in the 60's with "Tiny Bubbles," and continues to perform today. For years, Ho and his daughter brought smiles and cheers to audiences throughout Hawaii with their popular stage show. In fact, Hoku was actually "discovered" on an island tour of Maui by singer/songwriter Antonia Armato (Mariah Carey, Vanessa Williams) who penned "Another Dumb Blonde." Since then, it's been a whirlwind for Hoku, who recently moved from her native island to the bright lights and big city of Los Angeles. But the precocious singer remains unphased. "The only thing that scares me about LA is the freeways," she says with a smile.

Hoku's down-to-earth attitude and positive outlook are a breath of fresh air in an increasingly competitive musical landscape. Somewhat surprisingly, her energetic, playful style on record has been most influenced by classic pop artists, ranging from Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion to today's hitmakers, Smash Mouth and Sugar Ray. "Another Dumb Blonde" is her first single for Geffen, but the label plans on releasing a full-length disc in 2000. "It's really exciting to have worked so hard and so long for something, and to finally see it come to life now," she says. "Other than my family and faith, nothing means more to me than music."

Until today, perhaps Hoku's most famous musical moment was sharing the spotlight with her father to sing the national anthem at a Chicago Bulls basketball game in 1997. but that's all about to change. Hoku is no doubt one star that is figuratively - and literally - on the rise.