As the 2001 Battle for the Bash winner, Kim out sang and out performed a pool of many talented singers to claim the top prize: opening the Makaha Bash concert and winning a recording with Tropical Music.

This gifted young singer was no stranger to singing competitions. In 1999 she was both a Road to Fame finalist, and a second place finisher in Brown Bags to Stardom. Kim has won or placed in a dozen karaoke contests over the years including winning the top prize in three separate contests to represent Hawai’i in Japan from 1999 to 2000. She sang at the 1999 Hawai’i International Jazz Festival, and was invited by the Air Force Band to be their soloist in a performance in Anchorage, Alaska the following year.

Bridges

Bridges connects Kim’s realm of competitive singing to the realm of recording artist. She crosses over as an assured new star in Hawai’i’s firmament.

“Bridge Over Troubled Water” was Kim’s winning song from the Battle for the Bash, it’s one of her favorites and in her inspired and passionate interpretation she claims it. She possesses a powerful voice and really delivers in this classic Paul Simon composition. “Ooh Boy” first recorded by Rose Royce in the ‘70s is all high energy with Kim’s spirited vocal. In a bonus club mix version the song gets double time with an eye to the dance floor. “Heat Wave” that wonderful Holland, Dozier, Holland tune gets an overhaul and just sizzles in Kim’s forceful rendition.

Two new songs make their debut. “Dreaming Again” by Jim Beloff and Herbert Ohta, better known as Ohta-san, is a charming song of love re-awakening. Kim’s sweet performance is highlighted by Ohta-san’s wonderfully distinctive ‘ukulele solo.

Juxtaposed with “Dreaming Again” is “Sooner with Goodbye” a new song about a relationship ending. One of Hawai’i’s rising singer-songwriters, Justin Young, composed the song and joins Kim in a special appearance. In the acoustic mix Kim captures the poignant theme of the song. A second mix with drums and sax adds yet another dimension.