Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Nominees Announced
Nominees have been announced for next month’s 39th Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, held May 28th at the Hawaii Convention Center on O’ahu.
A formal announcement of the nominees that made the final ballot was revealed Monday at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards/2016 Nomination & Music Festival, held in Japan.
The awards show will be televised by KFVE-TV.
Hawai’i Academy of Performing Arts 2016 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards Final Ballot Nominees
Female Vocalist of the Year – Best performance by a female artist.
- Natalie Ai Kamauu, La La La La (Keko)
- Amy Hānaiali’i, Chardonnay (Ua)
- Mailani, Pacific Gem (Hā)
- Lily Meola, They Say… (no label)
- Kimie Miner, Kimie Miner (Kimie Miner)
Group of the Year – Best performance by a vocal duo or group.
- Ben & Maila, All About Love (Dream)
- Crimson Apple, Hello (Crimson Apple)
- Kahulanui, From Hawaiʻi to New York (Kahulanui)
- Maunalua, He Inoa (Lokahi)
- The Rough Riders We Ride (Rough Rider)
Male Vocalist of the Year – Best performance by a male artist.
- Nathan Aweau, ʻĀina Hānau (Bass Plus Music Arts)
- Jimmy Borges, Jimmy Borges (Mountain Apple)
- Michael Keale, No Ka Beauty (PRM)
- Mike Love, Love Will Find A Way (Love Not War)
- Sean Naʻauao, Lehua Beauty (Mountain Apple)
Most Promising Artist of the Year – Most promising first-recorded effort as a featured artist or group.
- Blayne Asing, Young, Old Soul (no label)
- Crimson Apple, Hello (Crimson Apple)
- Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus, He Koa Mau A Mau (KSBE)
- Lily Meola, They Say… (no label)
- Tim Rose, Tim Rose (no label)
Single of the Year – Best-recorded performance of a song released as a single in either physical (CD) or digital format.
- “365,” Kapena featuring Kalenaku (KDE)
- “In The End (HiSessions),” Nathan Aweau (HiSessions)
- “New Melody,” Kapena featuring Pena Bu & Kay-Oh! (KDE)
- “Ohohia Ko Ka Honua,” Kūpaoa (Hulu Kupuna)
- “Shower Tree,” Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko)
EP (“Extened Play”) of the Year – Best extended play release (between 3 and 8 songs) of newly released material.
- Aloooha, Danny and Nicholas Kaleikini (Ming Pur)
- Brother For The People, Taz Vegas (RSM)
- From Hawai’i to New York, Kahulanui (Kahulanui)
- Ukulele What?, Kaʻimi Hananoʻeau (Loihi)
- We Ride, The Rough Riders (Rough Rider)
Album of the Year – Best album release of the year.
- Āina Hānau, Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus Music Arts) Nathan Aweau – producer
- Chardonnay, Amy Hānaialiʻi (Ua) Michael Ruff – producer
- He Inoa, Maunalua (Lokahi) Lokahi Records – producer
- Jimmy Borges, Jimmy Borges (Mountain Apple) Jon de Mello – producer
- La La La La, Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko) David Tucciarone, Natalie Ai Kamauu, and Iolani Kamauu – producers
- Lehua Beauty, Sean Naʻauao (Mountain Apple) Jon de Mello – producer
Song of the Year – Best achievement in creating a first-time recorded song.
- “ʻĀina Hānau” by Nathan Aweau from ʻĀINA HĀNAU, Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus Music Arts)
- “He Makana A Ka Puʻuwai” by Louis “Moon” Kauakahi from A GIFT OF THE HEART, Mark Yamanaka & Kūpaoa (Hulu Kupuna)
- “Maunalua He Inoa” by Manu Boyd from HE INOA, Maunalua (Lokahi)
- “Shower Tree” by Kihei Nahale-a and Natalie Ai Kamauu from LA LA LA LA, Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko)
- “Uale’a O Ka Mahina” by Amy Hānaialiʻi from CHARDONNAY, Amy Hānaialiʻi (Ua)
Instrumental Composition – (Composerʻs award) Best achievement in creating a first-time recorded insrumental composition.
- “Cassandra,” by Henry Kapono from WE RIDE, The Rough Riders (Rough Rider)
- “Moemoea,” by Kris Fuchigami from MOEMOEA, Kris Fuchigami (Kris Fuchigami)
- “Old Pali,” by Jeff Peterson from OʻAHU, Jeff Peterson (Peterson)
- “Piʻiholo Sunset,” by George Kahumoku, Jr. From PANIOLO SLACK KEY – SONGS OF THE HAWAIIAN COWBOY, George Kahumoku, Jr. (Kealia Farms)
- “Summer of 81,” by Nathan Aweau from ʻĀINA HĀNAU, Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus Music Arts)
- “Travels,” by Jake Shimabukuro from TRAVELS, Jake Shimabukuro (Hitchhike)
Favorite Entertainer of the Year – Best performance by an artist or group.
- Natalie Ai Kamauu
- Nathan Aweau
- Ben & Maila
- Jimmy Borges
- Amy Hānaiali’i
- Kawika Kahiapo
- Maunalua
- Sean Na’auao
- Jeff Peterson
- Streetlight Cadence
- Mark Yamanaka & Kūpaoa
Alternative Album of the Year – Best performance of alternative music.
- American Boy, Erin Smith (Erin Smith Music)
- Beyond Paradise, Streetlight Cadence (Streetlight Cadence)
- Hello, Crimson Apple (Crimson Apple)
- Stark, Sebastian Hughes (Stark)
- Tim Rose, Tim Rose (no label)
Anthology Album of the Year – (Producerʻs award) Best album of previously released material.
- 30, Kapena (KDE) Kapena De Lima – producer
- Hōʻuluʻulu ʻĒlua, Kuuipo Kumukahi (Kumu 1) Kaohulani Aiu, Kuulei Haili and Kuualoha Zepeda producers
- ʻOhina Mele, Kenneth Makuakāne (KM) Kenneth Makuakāne, Jim Uyeda, and Keola Donaghy – producers
- Once This Lifetime, Dennis and Christy Soares (Elation) Dennis Soares – producer
- Still Chasing The Sun, Dennis and Christy Soares (Elation) Dennis Soares – producer
Christmas Album of the Year – Best performance in a Christmas theme.
- Christmas Rush, Abrigo ʻOhana (Abrigo ʻOhana)
- A Gift of the Heart, Mark Yamanaka & Kūpaoa (Hulu Kupuna)
- Metal Kalikimaka – Volume 2, Tin Idols (TIP)
Comedy Album of the Year – Best comedy performance release on album or DVD.
- Death By Snu Snu, Harold Wong (Pass Out)
- Electric Island, Kepa Kruse (Petroglyph)
- I’m Not That Guy, Patrick Tyrrell (Pass Out)
- Library Mafia, Anthony Silano (Pass Out)
- Sacred Snail, Oil In the Alley (Improverished)
Compilation Album of the Year – (Producerʻs award) Best performance of newly released material by a minimum of three distinct artists.
- Aloha ʻIa Nō ʻO Maui, Institute of Hawaiian Music (no label) Keola Donaghy – producer
- Discovered, Various Artists (Elation) Dennis Soares – producer
- The Reflections Project – Maui Jazz 2015, Various Artists (Rock the Rock) Lauren Burgess and Steven Burgess – producers
- Summer Dream, Various Artists (Daddy Leopard) Brandon Apeles and Michelle Aquino – producers
Contemporary Album of the Year – Best performance in a contemporary style
- Chardonnay, Amy Hānaialiʻi (Ua)
- Echoes Aidan James (Aidan James)
- Kimie Miner, Kimie Miner (Kimie Miner)
- They Say…, Lily Meola (no label)
- Young, Old Soul, Blayne Asing (no label)
Hawaiian Music Album of the Year – Best performance of Hawaiian music.
- Ahuwale, Chad Takatsugi (Koops2)
- He Inoa, Maunalua (Lokahi)
- La La La La, Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko)
- Lehua Beauty, Sean Naʻauao (Mountain Apple)
- Makaha Sons Memoirs, Jerome Koko and Daniel Ho (DHC)
Instrumental Album of the Year – Best Instrumental performance.
- Buddy Nowhere 1930’S, Rich Crandall (Music Formats)
- Pacific Harp Project, Pacific Harp Project (Megan Bledsoe Ward)
- Rainbow Road, Nancy Shoop-Wu (Lei Hoku)
- A Solitary Way, Dennis Soares (Elation)
- Touch The Sky, Eden Kai (Eden Kai)
- When Time Stood Still, Dennis Soares (Elation)
Island Music Album of the Year – Best cotemporary performance of music of or about Hawai‘i.
- ʻĀina Hānau, Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus)
- All About Love, Ben and Maila (Dream)
- The Garden, Meleʻuhane: Keikilani and Leokani Lindsey (Tiki Time)
- The Legend of the Grey Wolf, Dennis Kamakahi (Makai)
- No Ka Beauty, Michael Keale (PRM)
Jazz Album of the Year – Best jazz performance.
- Jimmy Borges, Jimmy Borges (Mountain Apple)
- Koele Mist, Henry Allen (Rainbow)
- Love Wants to Dance, Jimmy C (Jimmy C)
- Soirée Edith Piaf, L’Escargot: Pierre Grill, Duane Padilla, and Mimi Hafele (RVR)
- Swanky 2, Patrick von Wiegandt (Von Wiegandt)
Music DVD of the Year – Best performance of music and video on a DVD.
- Brother for the People – Official Music Video, Taz Vegas (RSM)
- Ka ʻEle Kū, Eddie Tanaka (Mystical Molokai)
- Swanky 2 – My Valentine, Patrick von Wiegandt (Von Wiegandt)
R&B Album of the Year – Best performance of music in an R&B style.
- Live From Kauai, Taj Mahal & The Hula Blues Band (Kuleana)
- Unrequited, Rikah (Indie)
- Years in the Breaking, Joni Llamedo (Joni Llamedo)
Religious Album of the Year – Best performance of religious material.
- Artist of My Life, Sons of Yeshua (Righteous Rudeboy)
- E Mavae Atu Tupulaga, Penieli LOC Worship Team (no label)
- Greater Together, New Hope Oahu (NHO/Dream)
- Mwareiti Kop, Arrows of Destiny Worship Academy (no label)
- One Ohana in Jesus, Randy, Gay, and Andrew Hongo (Christian Vision)
Rock Album of the Year – Best performance of music in a rock style.
- Awakening, Jamie Gallo (Jamie Gallo)
- Broken Promises, 82Fifty (Lab munkeez)
- Endangered Species, Stuart Hollinger (Keala)
- The Heavy Crown, Pimpbot (Pass Out)
- Storm’s a Brewin’, Storm (TIP)
Slack Key Album of the Year – Best performance of slack or vocals with slack key accompaniment.
- Naheʻolu, Patrick Landeza (Addison Street)
- Oʻahu, Jeff Peterson (Peterson)
- Paniolo Slack Key – Songs of the Hawaiian Cowboy, George Kahumoku, Jr. (Kealia Farms)
‘Ukulele Album of the Year – Best ‘ukulele performance.
- Jus Cuz, Ukulele Duets, Da Ukulele Boyz (Peter D)
- Low “G”, Kimo Hussey (Neos)
- Travels, Jake Shimabukuro (Hitchhike)
- ‘Ukulele Friends, Bryan Tolentino and Herb Ohta, Jr. (Neos)
- We Are Made of Stars, Taimane (no label)
Graphics Award – Award for best total album packaging.
- Michael Hipolito, for BEYOND PARADISE by Streetlight Cadence (Streetlight Cadence)
- Stacey Leong Mills and Karyn Yasui Lau, for AHUWALE by Chad Takatsugi (Koops2)
- Keikilani Lindsey, for THE GARDEN by Meleuhane: Keikilani and Leokani Lindsey (Tiki Time)
- B. Kanai’a Nakamura, for HE INOA by Maunalua (Lokahi)
- B. Kanai’a Nakamura, for JIMMY BORGES by Jimmy Borges (Mountain Apple)
Liner Notes Award – Award for best liner notes.
- Chad Takatsugi and Dr. Keawe Lopes, for AHUWALE by Chad Takatsugi (Koops2)
- Michael Keale, for NO KA BEAUTY by Michael Keale (PRM)
- Jon Magnussen and Kalama Cabigon, for PAKAʻA LANAKILA by Spring Wind Quintet (Chamber Music Hawaii)
- George Kahumoku, Jr., for PANIOLO SLACK KEY – SONGS OF THE HAWAIIAN COWBOY by George Kahumoku, Jr. (Kealia Farms)
- Harry B. Soria, Jr. and Nina Kealiʻiwahamana, for PAULINE KEKAHUNA ANDHER HAUʻOLI GIRLS by Pauline Kekahuna and Her Hauʻoli Girls (Cord/Hana Ola)
Haku Mele Award– (Composerʻs award) Best first-released song or chant primarily in the Hawaiian language.
- “He Aloha Nu’uanu” by Dr. Lisa Takatsugi and Chad Takatsugi, from AHUWALE, Chad Takatsugi (Koops2)
- “He Wehi No Pauahi” by Kahikina De Silva and Chad Takatsugi, from AHUWALE, Chad Takatsugi (Koops2)
- “Maunlua He Inoa” by Manu Boyd, from HE INOA, Maunalua (Lokahi)
- “Nani Ke Ao Nei” by Lynell Bright, from HE KOA MAU A MAU, Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus (KSBE)
- “Rose Oanona: by Chad Takatsugi, from AHUWALE, Chad Takatsugi (Koops2)
Hawaiian Language Performance Award – (Artist award) Best performance in the Hawaiian Language.
- Abrigo ʻOhana, for ʻŌPAEʻULA (ÍAbrigo Ohana)
- Institute of Hawaiian Music, for ALOHA ʻIA NŌ ʻ O MAUI (no label)
- Maunalua, for HE INOA (Lokahi)
- Meleʻuhane: Keikilani and Leokani Lindsey, for THE GARDEN (Tiki Time)
- Chad Takatsugi, for AHUWALE (Koops2)
International Album Special Recognition Award – Award restricted to non-US artists (those born in and who reside in the country in which the submission originates)
- Kupulau, Keiko (Ao Aqua)
- I Around, Rio (no label)
- New World, Daichi Watanabe (Clever Sea)
- Ukulele Merry Christmas, Ryo Natoyama (Intense Music)
- Ukuelele Splash, Ryo Natoyama (Intense Music)