Capitol Idol II

Individual act winner Blake Oshiro and the Executive Team

Another year and another great showing of Capitol Idol, a government talent show fundraiser in support of the Hawaii Foodbank. The installment of the event raised $1,735 to support and feed Hawaii hungry. The first Capitol Idol in 2012 raised $1,400.

This year, members of the House and Senate were joined by participants from the Executive Branch. The newcomers proved a major obstacle in the House's goals of defending the best individual act and team act awards--as the Executive team swept both perpetual trophies.

The individual act winner was Blake Oshiro, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and the Executive Team performing Last Dance.   The Executive Branch was the overall team winner with several acts from nearly a dozen performers.

Senator Mike Gabbard organized the fundraiser and comedian Champ Kaneshiro volunteered as emcee.

Performers included:

Team Executive Branch: Linda Rosen, Director of the Dept. of Health; Keali‘i Lopez, Director of the Dept. of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Maria Zielinksi, Deputy Director of the Dept. of Accounting and General Services; Audrey Hidano, Deputy Director of the Department of Transportation; Keone Kali, Chief Information Officer; Joshua Wisch, Deputy Director of the Dept. of Taxation; Jesse Souki, Deputy Director of the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources; and Blake Oshiro, Deputy Chief of Staff

Team House: Reps. Lauren Cheap Matsumoto and Ken Ito

Team Senate: Sen. Russell Ruderman, backed by Sens. Rosalyn Baker, Will Espero, Mike Gabbard, Michelle Kidani and Suzanne Chun-Oakland;  Sen. Mike Gabbard; Sen. Malama Solomon with back-up singers Sen. Brickwood Galuteria and senate staff; and Da Kolohe Bruddahs, consisting of Sens. Mike Gabbard, Brickwood Galuteria and Russell Ruderman.

 More photos from the event are available below