Hawaii woman up for Daytime Emmy Award

A Sacred Hearts alumna has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for a song she wrote for the NBC soap opera Passions. Esther Faith Rivera, who grew up in Waipahu but now lives in Long Beach, Calif., is up for Outstanding Original Song for a piece written and aired in tribute to late actor Josh Ryan Evans.

The song, “Forever Near,” aired in August soon after Evans’ death. It was based on “All That You Are,” a song on Rivera’s 1998 debut album that was originally written for her grand uncle, and was reworked at the suggestion of Emmy-winning composer John Henry.

Rivera is a longtime friend and collaborator of prolific local singer and composer Daniel Ho.

Rivera has worked professionally in the music business as a session singer, songwriter, and artist for the past six years, with vocal and songwriting credits ranging from the Scooby Doo movie to FOX’s Boston Public. Most recently her collaborations with Ho brought her back to the islands in January for a featured performance with the Honolulu Symphony as they opened for Dave Koz.

In addition to her work in the commercial sphere, Rivera also works with inner-city youth as choir director for Covenant Presbyterian Church in Long Beach. She is also involved in producing events like the recent Womens Festival of the Arts, which features over 30 artists.

“Forever Near” is up against two songs from Port Charles and two songs from All My Children, both ABC shows. The winner of Outstanding Original Song will be announced May 10 in Los Angeles and televised May 16 during the Emmy’s held in New York.