This past weekend the 2012 NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Show in Anaheim, CA was the place to be for music and especially for musicians from across the country. Music and audio equipment manufacturers laid out their displays in their booths and you can hear different instruments playing throughout the convention center. Amongst the thousands that attended the show was a member of the royal family of the Kingdom of Tonga. Polynesians are not only music lovers but a lot of their history is told through music and Honorable Frederica Lupe’uluiva Fatafehi Lapaha Tuita of Tonga attended NAMM to see what this year’s show had to showcase.

It was refreshing to see musical instruments showcased throughout the convention center from top brands. Everything from orchestra instruments such as the cello, violin, viola, and much more to a dedicated guitar section and rock star section of drum sets and cymbals were present. One brand that stood out was Pearl drums. Their display of top-of-the-line drum sets ranged from a classic set to a drum set mounted on a roller coaster track. Other sections of the show included DJ equipment and audio equipment for mixing and mastering music. Pioneer has developed a line of DJ mixing panels that not only implement the old school way of DJing with records but now with new technology, lets you plug in a USB flash drive and mix music right in with the Serrato computer DJ program that is currently out today.

The young Hon. Frederica observed the atmosphere and loved the diversity of the musicians who attended the show. She is not only a music lover but she also enjoys the accessories that make music fun. Visiting the Monster booth was a treat as they demonstrated the sturdy, sleek new headphones called “Inspiration” which had a feature where you can change the top lining to different colors depending on how you want to rock them. Headphones have become so popular in the marketplace that this aftermarket music accessory has dominated with different manufacturers coming out with their own style. Skullcandy represented in a big way by introducing to the island princess their latest models and sharing with her how they started. Music accessories are a worldwide commodity today and it doesn’t matter whether you’re snowboarding in Park City, UT or on a beach on the South Pacific island of Tonga, music and its accessories bring people together globally and that’s what NAMM was all about and that’s WhatItDo!

Article by: Elizabeth Lavulo

www.thewhatitdo.comThe Whatitdo Lady Hosts

Y’all think you know, but y’all don’t know how The WhatItDo crew be holdin’ it down. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, the hosts will be bringing you the latest in fashion, music, gadgets and cars, the hypest crowds, and catching up with celebrities. Our WhatItDo host cast is run by women who are more than hot, they’re sizzlin’! We got the Urban Island scene on lock with hostesses Lu’isa Ha’ungatau, Melania Cavu, Adriana Davalos, and Leta Fau’olo! These beauties represent their cultures (Tongan, Fijian, Mexican, and Samoan) and their hoods (the Bay, L.A., and Salt Lake) to the fullest and sure know how to hustle to bring you the latest in Urban Island entertainment like no one else can. Any live coverage by these ladies is sure to heat up your screen and keep you hooked. Check out the video below to see firsthand how these WhatItDo women make it do WhatItDo!

-Written by: Juliet Uata

Hawaii at The GroveGoHawaii.com

The Grove in West Hollywood was the place to be on Saturday, June 4th, 2011. The Hawaiian Visitors and Conventions Bureau and the Anthology Group hosted the event which was opened to the public in Los Angeles. Different vendors from the islands of Oahu and Maui brought a piece of “aloha” to share with local Angelinos.

Children stood in line to make plumeria leis while the adults cooled off by drinking Hawaiian Springs, the young artesian water from the Big Island. The atmosphere was fun and the crowds enjoyed the experience. There’s always music and dance at every Hawaiian event and the Hawaiians know how to teach visitors about who they are and what they are about. Chris Kai’aokamaile of the Maui Visitors Bureau explains, ”If people understand and experience our culture which captures the true spirit of Aloha, they will want to come to Hawaii.” As I walked and observed the booths, adults and children of all ages lined up to experience a piece of Hawaii. The award-winning Hawaii Kai Salt from the island of Moloka’i was present and gave out small sample packages. Moloka’i Visitors Bureau Director Julie-Ann Bicoy shared,”The salt is harvested from the waters of Moloka’i and is a product of our natural resources.”

While some people crowded the booths, others enjoyed music and entertainment from Daniel Ho, who surprised us all with his special guest performance with Tia Carerre. Tia performed “Aloha ‘Oe” while Daniel accompanied her. Their performance really set the tone of the event.

When I approached my last booth, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Jennifer Carvalho of Hawaiian Hotel and Resorts. When asked what is the one thing she would like consumers to know about her resorts, she said, ”We are a family-owned company and our hotels are authentic to Hawaiian themes of lifestyle and culture. We have properties in Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii and all of which have beautiful ocean and beach-front views.”

Overall, the event was fun-filled, family-oriented, and highly informative of the great products, venues, and experiences the Hawaiian Islands have to offer. LA locals are sure to have gained a greater interest in visiting Hawaii and may have even already booked their airfare. We can always count on Hawaii to make a strong and culturally authentic presence and everyone at The Grove experienced that spirit of aloha firsthand. Hawaii is definitely a must-visit destination so be sure to put it on your summer vacation list!

For more information on the islands of Hawai’i, visit www.gohawaii.com.

Written By: Elizabeth Lavulo

2010 Magic Show Pt. V
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Mack strikes big while interviewing PUNKASS from TAPOUT Clothing. UFC fighting has become a sought-after sport with fighter’s from all the world. Mack also talks to the Marketing Director Andy Scott of UFC Clothing. Check out the latest trends of Tapout and UFC Clothing!

2010 Magic Show Pt. IV
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This segment is all about new innovative designs from long-time urban threads, from South Pole and Deuce Brands (a Fashion Sports Company). Keith from South Pole shares with us what’s going on in his world of South Pole while Gary from Deuce Brands breaks it down on how they’re actively involved in cross-marketing their watches to help get involved in a good cause. Check it out!

2010 Magic Show Pt. III
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Do you want sexy elegance? Looking to command attention with your panty hose or see how hot the block is with Playboy Jeans? Then you definitely need to Check out Mack’s interviews with Sentimental NY, Command Hose, Playboy Jeans and Urban Republic. With these designers the block isn’t just hot, it’s damn near on fire. Check out Magic Show Part III.

2010 Magic Show Pt. II
Mack Moore is in the fashion trenches. Click to watch the video.

Host Macklyn Moore III is back in action, this time introducing us to PZI Jeans out of Atlanta, GA. He also meets up with Tanya Bryson who is the National Director of Sales for Roca Wear out New York City. One of the coolest urban clothing lines Mack is totally digging is Crown Holder Clothing which is a majestic fusion with street wear influences. Check out the video!

2010 Magic Show Pt. I
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On February 16-18, 2010 The Magic Fashion & Apparel Show popped off with designers from all over the world. Host Macklyn Moore III took us into the floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center and showed us What It Do with the lastest fashion trends and designers. In this segment he interviews KBD Studios, Crash and Burn Apparel, and Vata Brasil Sportwear. Check it Out!

The What It Do Team is back in Vegas, this time for the project show which is part of the overall magic show fashion apparel tradeshows of February 2010. We’ll be covering the latest trends in fashion threads as well as the up and coming hot designers.

Check back daily for updates…

2010 C.E.S. Review Pt. II
The rest of C.E.S! Click to watch the video.

Check out the second half of our C.E.S. 2010 review from Las Vegas this year.

KMAX starts it off with some crazy rides crammed with more sound systems and gadgets then you’ve ever seen before, then hits the rest of the showroom floor to see all the new TVs and cool new tech.

Check out the video!