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| The future is bright for Hawaii's Jasmine Trias |
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HAWAII'S RISING STARS |
From the entertainment industry to the sports world, Hawaii has always contributed its share of superstars. Don Ho is a show business legend. The great Duke Kahanamoku put the Islands on the sports map. Bette Midler and Jim Nabors have earned their own stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Hawaii’s galaxy of celebrities, however, also includes several rising stars who are currently carving their own path to success. They aren’t legends—yet—but time is on their side. Here’s a look at a few of Hawaii’s best and brightest young talents.
Jasmine Trias admits her life was forever changed after her amazing run on TV’s phenomenally successful "American Idol." Trias, a 17-year-old Mililani resident who recently graduated from Maryknoll High School in Honolulu, probably never imagined rubbing elbows with the likes of Elton John, Barry Manilow and Gloria Estefan. Nor did she envision Hawaii Lieutenant Governor James Aiona proclaiming last May 13 as "Jasmine Trias Day."
Trias was among the final three contestants on "American Idol 3," charming millions of TV viewers with her vocal talents and stage presence. What’s next? No doubt, a major recording contract is in her future. "Anything’s possible," she told one local reporter. "I didn’t think I could make a career out of this, but I remembered to never give up and always try your best."
Jerome Williams has come a long way from his days at Waipahu High School, a public school in Leeward Oahu. The gifted athlete is now a starting pitcher with the San Francisco Giants, sharing the field with a future Hall of Famer by the name of Barry Bonds.
Born December 4, 1981, Williams made his Major League debut in 2003 and posted a 7-5 record. Baseball America named him as the Giants’ "Top Prospect" prior to the 2002 season.
Even with his "big league" career, Williams hasn’t forgotten his roots. He wears a Hawaiian puka shell necklace during games in memory of his mother, who died in 2001 from breast cancer. The Giants have even sold puka shell necklaces at home games, with proceeds benefiting breast cancer research.
For a certain legendary Hawaii entertainer, Hoku Ho will always be "daddy’s girl." But Ho is more than Don Ho’s daughter. the 23-year-old singer and actress proved that with her Top 30 single, "Another Dumb Blonde," which was featured in the 2000 film, Snow Day. Her debut CD, Hoku, was also released in 2000.
Expect more exciting projects from Hoku in the future. Still, there’s no doubt who’d get top billing if she and her dad appear in concert together. "Are you kidding?" she told a local reporter. "Definitely Dad—he’s Don Ho!"
For more "Rising Stars," click HERE. ©2003-2004 Media-HI, Inc. All rights reserved. |
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