When Kaua‘i musician Norman Ka‘awa Solomon was filmed two years ago, an award for his performance was the last thing on anyone’s mind.

David “Kawika” Schmerin, a television producer and cameraman for the Wrightwood Group in Las Vegas, manned the camera while Solomon played.

On Tuesday afternoon, Kaua‘i film commissioner Art Umezu said he was informed by Schmerin that the video produced for Solomon’s “My Favorite Things” (Sample - MP3) from his “Na Mele O Kaua‘i” CD, won the Silver Telly Award for Music Video of the Year for 2007.

“I could not be more proud of this achievement, and each of you are as much a part of this as I,” Schmerin states in an e-mail to Umezu announcing the selection.

Schmerin expressed his appreciation to Umezu for having the foresight that Solomon and he should meet.

“To you, Ka‘awa, mahalo for the beautiful song and the music that touched my soul,” Schmerin continued. “Each of us will be receiving a beautiful trophy to commemorate our accomplishment. The statues are about a foot tall and weigh a good five pounds. I hope you will display this trophy with as much pride as I will.”

Schmerin said he was excited to receive the award because that video was the first project he produced in more than five years.

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(Source: Dennis Fujimoto, Kauai Garden Island News)