Chat Transcript
April 6, 2000, 7 p.m.

Hoku: Hi everyone! Thanks for coming!

Jammico: Hi there, Hoku. How's life on the road been treating you?
Hoku: Actually, I haven't been on the road yet. I start my radio tour on April 16.

ILoveBsB2o0o: Hoku, what is your favorite thing about performing? Is it the crowd jamming to your music or do you just like the rush and excitement of it all?
Hoku: It's kind of a combination of both. I'm a total stage freak -- I grew up singing onstage so it's where I'm most at home.

Jessiepie: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
Hoku: Yeah. There are 10 of us all together, but I grew up with two sisters and a brother. I'm close to all of them. But the siblings I grew up with are like my best friends.

james: Hey Hoku! I'm a huge fan of both you and *NSYNC! Is it true that you are opening for them this summer? I hope so!
Hoku: It's true that we're in negotiations, but it hasn't worked out. I think it's pretty much confirmed that we're not going to do it. But I will be doing other traveling this summer. Keep looking for postings on my Web site.

Jetoya: How old are you, and when did you start your singing career? Do you have a boyfriend, and if you don't, do you want one?
Hoku: I am 18. I've been singing my whole life with my dad -- that's how I got started. But I didn't start singing seriously until I was 11. Oh, and thanks for the offer, but I'm taken. :)

Chalnjurshep: Hi Hoku, what's your ethnic background?
Hoku: I'm over a quarter Hawaiian, part Chinese and Portuguese, and more than half Caucasian.

EpicGirl14: What influenced you to sing the song "Another Dumb Blonde," and who wrote it?
Hoku: The girl who wrote it is Antonia Armato. She brought the song to me, and we recorded it as a demo. When my label heard it, they really liked it and decided to sign me.

stpaul: Hoku, what's your fave type of music?
Hoku: I'm honestly one of those people who likes all kinds of music. But right now I'm going through a jazz stage, and I'm growing more and more fond of pop.

ForeverHoku: Hoku, do you ever look at the Web sites that your fans make for you?
Hoku: Yes, I do actually. I think they are great and it's really flattering that someone spent that much time and energy on me. It's nice to see. :)

debg: Hoku, what's the craziest thing a fan has done for you?
Hoku: When I was New York City, a fan waited from 11:30 a.m. until 12 a.m. for my autograph when I played at radio station. Then he followed me back to my hotel. That was scary!

dogshow: Your voice is so pure and beautiful! Who are your influences?
Hoku: I have kind of obscure influences: Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Bette Midler, and of course Mariah Carey's first CD had a big impact on me.

brooklyn: Has your father always encouraged a career in showbiz for you?
Hoku: Once he knew I wanted to do it, he was very supportive. But he let me make the decision on my own. Everyone in my family is very supportive. Both my mom and dad are singers.

AnF_Chick182: Hoku, three years ago I saw you perform at one of your dad's dinner concerts in Hawaii. Now you're a big star. Did you think it would actually happen?
Hoku: NO! It took me completely by surprise. I always thought that I would just be singing with my dad. But it's such a blessing to be where I am now. I'm having a really good time though.

jaquita: Have any celeb crushes, Hoku?! 'Fess up!
Hoku: I always thought Will Smith was cute!

Jessiepie: What is your full name and what does it mean?
Hoku: My full name is Hoku Christian Ho. My first name means star.

16: I just want to say that I love "Another Dumb Blonde!" (My friends joke saying it's my song.) But I was wondering what kind of things you like to do when you're not recording or whatever.
Hoku: I just got a Nintendo 64. So that's all I do all day when I'm not working. But I'm always working, traveling, and doing a lot of interviews. And preparing for future performances. :)

britsch: How would you describe your upcoming album?
Hoku: A lot of it is just like Another Dumb Blonde. But what I really like about it is that there's a little something for everybody. My favorite song is the one I wrote (I play the guitar on it and produced it). It's called "You First Believed." It's something that I always wanted to do. I worked really hard on it.

Skyler: What song would you most like to remix or have a chance to sing in your own style?
Hoku: That's a tough one. I have too many faves to choose. I wouldn't feel worthy covering anyone I really admire.

Skyler: Who would you most like to do a duet with?
Hoku: I did a duet with a good friend of mine, Tim James, on my album. He's a new artist that you guys should look out for. I think his single is due out in May. He also co-wrote on Another Dumb Blonde.

bobby: Hoku, when are you coming to Chicago?
Hoku: Keep checking my Web site, www.hokuonline.com, for tour dates and info. It should be posted as soon as the schedule's solid.

bobbijr: Do you ever get totally nervous up onstage?
Hoku: Of course, you always get nervous. But that's the whole fun of it.

Star123: What was the most embarrassing moment on stage?
Hoku: When I was 11 and sang my first solo, "I Will Always Love You," by Whitney Houston. I started it completely out of key and when the music started after the a cappella, I almost died.

AnF_Chick182: Are you making any upcoming appearances in any movies or TV shows? A lot of musical artists cross over -- is that something you're interested in?
Hoku: It's something that I'm very interested in. I've had offers, but at the time I was busy finishing my album. And now I'm busy doing radio tours, so it's really impossible to try right now. But someday I know I really want to get into acting. For awhile I really wanted to be an actress instead of a singer.

Xadis: Hoku, what are the ups and downs of becoming a pop star?
Hoku: On the downside you're always busy so you don't really have time for friends and family. I can't take vacations home to visit, and that's really hard. But on the upside, I'm doing what I love to do and I'm learning so many new things. So many doors are open to me that weren't before.

EpicGirl14: What do you like doing the best: performing or recording?
Hoku: That's a tough one. If you asked me before I started recording my album, I would have said performing. Without a doubt. Since I've been recording, I've learned so many new things about my voice, and how far I can take it. I really enjoy that whole creative process. But my roots are in performing, and it will always be my first love.

skunK: Where do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
Hoku: I have no idea. It seems like just a few months ago I thought I was going to go to college, get a degree in business, and be a teacher. Now I'm sitting back at only 18 and watching all my dreams come true. Who can say what the future holds at this point? But I'm excited for it!

ROSWELL645: Can you name some songs that will be on your CD?
Hoku: My next single is called "What You Need." That will probably come out this summer after my album comes out May 2. The competitors for the third single are called "Oxygen" and "How Do I Feel." It's so hard to choose 'cause I really think that we have a great album. I hope you guys like it. :)

digHoku: I love your song! Are you going to make a music video for any other songs anytime soon? If so, for what song? Thanks!
Hoku: Probably for my next single "What You Need." I should start filming in the next few months or so.

jenn: If you could be anywhere in the world, where would you like to be right now?
Hoku: At home in Hawaii on Waikiki Beach laying out in the sun or surfing. Mostly I just want to be with my family.

Hoku: Thanks everybody and please look out for my CD on May 2, and hopefully I will make a stop in your town. Take care and God bless!

Moderator: Don't forget to check out Hoku's new album, out on May 2, and get tour dates at www.hokuonline.com! Thanks for chatting, Hoku!