Going to the Grammys: Weldon Kekauoha

BY WELDON KEKAUOHA / Special to the Star-Advertiser

Monday, Feb. 11

Whew! What a memorable evening at the 55th Grammy Awards! We met so many wonderful and talented people, made lots of new friends and created lifetime memories that have been permanently etched in our hearts and minds forever. What an incredible journey!

A gift from the Grammy Awards! (Courtesy Weldon Kekauoha)

I was told that as an “artist”, whatever medium you choose, you create from thin-air and make tangible the hopes and dreams of the people. I am proud to be a part if that magic.

My wife and enjoyed ourselves at the afterparty. It’s about 2 a.m. here in Los Angeles and we’re just about ready to go to bed. It’s been an incredibly long day chalked full of incredible moments.

I’m mostly really happy that I got to experience it all with my best friend and love of my life beside me. Rona, thank you for all if you love and support.

Thanks also to John Berger and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for asking me to blog our Grammy adventures. I’ve really enjoyed sharing our daily thrills and excitement with everyone. Mahalo also to Jason Genegabus for helping me post my blog!

On Monday, we check out from the JW Marriott early in the morning and head to LAX for our return flight home to O’ahu on Hawaiian Airlines. Can’t wait to see our children, who I know miss their mommy and daddy very much. Thank you Melia, Moeaikama’ama’ama, Haili’opua and Kuaiwakamaehu for being such good kids! Also, mahalo to our family for watching our children while we’ve been in L.A.!

Thank you Hawai’i for all the comments of support through social media. It felt really good knowing you were all rooting for me! Thank you all so very much.

Sunday, Feb. 10

2:15 p.m. — We’re walking over to the Staples Center. This is all crazy fun! The telecast portion will start in about 45 minutes.

1:15 p.m. — Best Regional Roots Music Album award goes to “The Band Courtbouillon” by Wayne Toups, Steve Riley and Wilson Savoy, a zydeco band from New Orleans.

Congrats to them! I’m so honored to have been nominated along with them.

I also got to see Bonnie Raitt and Taylor Swift. Star-struck for sure — it was really cool!

10:50 a.m. — We’re inside! A little bit of a logistical mix up happened while entering the venue, but we made it in time. I’ve got butterflies!

It’s about 10 minutes to show time. We’re excited to see who will be performing during the pre-telecast.

7:25 a.m. — Just back from breakfast with Gaylord Holomalia of Kalapana. It was nice talking story and catching up with him.

It’s almost 9:30 a.m. here in Los Angeles — and today is the big day! My wife is doing hair and make-up and I’m just relaxing in my room watching “Twilight”.

I couldn’t sleep last night. Kept tossing and turning, thinking about everything. A million and one things were going through my mind!

The Grammy Awards pre-telecast starts at 1 p.m. today. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., so we plan to leave the JW Marriott at around noon. I’m told the category I’m in will be announced around 2:30 p.m. or so.

Lots of pictures to follow. I’ve got an open mind, open heart and we’re hoping for the best.

Thank you all in advance for your support and aloha!