At the Hawai’i Theatre in Honolulu on Saturday, it was a great night at the 2023 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for music artists from the Big Island.

Natalie Ai Kamauu, from Waimea, was a big winner. She won Female Vocalist of the Year for the sixth time and Album of the Year for “Natalie Noelani.”

She also took home the title of Hawaiian Music Video of the Year for “No Waimea Ke Aloha” with her husband Iolani Kamauu. “No Waimea Ke Aloha” also won Hawaiian Single of the Year and Song of the Year. The song pays homage to the coupleʻs home in the uplands of Waimea.

Her son, Chaz Kamauu, also won two awards for graphics design and video director for her.

Up-and-coming 20-year-old artist Wehilei beat out Hawaiian legend Henry Kopono, Kimie Miner and two others for Single of the Year. She also won Most Promising Artist of the Year and Reggae Album of the Year for “Music Heals the Soul.”

Other Big Island winners included Kala’e of Waimea for the Music Video of the Year Award for “These Islands” and Hilo native Kalani Pe’a for Contemporary Album of the Year for “Purple Hawaiian Christmas.”

ʻUkulele virtuoso Taimane won Favorite Entertainer of the Year for the second time. It’s the only award chosen by public vote.

“The 46th annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards showcased the incredible depth of talent within Hawai’i’s music community,” said Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts President Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom. “Through the Hōkū awards and live performances, we are proud to recognize these exceptional artists who continue to push boundaries and create music that resonates with audiences both locally and globally.”

The Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards not only celebrate the achievements of the winners but also serve as a platform to inspire future generations and preserve the essence of Hawaiʻi’s music and culture.

The dedication and artistry of the nominees and winners contribute to the ongoing legacy of music, shaping its evolution while staying rooted in its traditions.

Read on for a full list of Big Island winners and nominees.

Here’s a list of Big Island Winners:

Album of the Year (Producer’s Artist’s Award)

• Natalie Noelani by Natalie Ai Kamauu Keko Records from Waimea

Single of the Year

• “Kohala, HI” by Wehilei (Wehilei Music)

Hawaiian Single of the Year

• “No Waimea Ke Aloha” by Natalie Ai Kamauu & Iolani Kamauu (Keko Records) of Waimea

Music Video of the Year

“These Islands” by Kala’e (Kala’e) of Waimea

Hawaiian Music Video of the Year

• “No Waimea Ke Aloha” by Natalie Ai Kamauu & Iolani Kamauu (Keko Records) of Waimea

Instrumental Composition of the Year (Composer’s Award)

• “Always be There” by Kris Fuchigami of Hilo

Song of the Year (Composer’s Award)

• “No Waimea Ke Aloha” by Natalie Ai Kamauu & Iolani Kamauu (Keko Records)

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Natalie Ai Kamauu for “Natalie Noelani”(Keko Records)

Most Promising Artist of the Year

• Wehilei for “Music Heals The Soul” (Wehilei Music)

Favorite Entertainer of the Year (online general votes)

• Taimane

Contemporary Album of the Year

Kalani Pe’a

• “Purple Hawaiian Christmas” by Kalani Pe’a (Pe’a Records & Entertainment)

Contemporary Acoustic Album of the Year

• Renaissance: Volume 2 by Sandy Essman (Tin Idol Productions)

Reggae Album of the Year

• Wehilei “Music Heals the Soul”

Graphics

• Chaz Kamauu for “Natalie Noelani” by Natalie Ai Kamauu of Waimea (Keko Records)

Here’s a list of Big Island Nominees:

Album of the Year (Producer’s Artist’s Award)

• “Music Heals the Soul” by Wehilei from Kohala.

EP (“Extended Play”) of the Year

• “Crossing Rain “Jordan Yamanaka of Hilo

Single of the Year

• “Saltwater Kiss” by Kimie Miner of Kona (Haku Records)

Hawaiian Single of the Year

• “No Waimea Ke Aloha” by Natalie Ai Kamauu & Iolani Kamauu (Keko Records) of Waimea

Music Video of the Year

• “Cruisin'” by Wehilei (Wehilei Music) of Kohala

Instrumental Composition of the Year (Composer’s Award)

• “Mauna Kea Beach Blues” by Gary Washburn- Honoka’a & Jesse Snyder-Hawai’i Island (Sax Monkey Hawai’i)

Song of the Year Composer’s Award

• “These Islands” by Kala’e (Kala’e)
• “Wrapped in a Bow” by Kalani Pe’a (Pe’a Records & Entertainment)

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Maelan Abran for “Time is Now”(Pīkake Records)
• Wehilei for “Music Heals The Soul” (Wehilei Music)

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Kalani Pe’a for “Purple Hawaiian Christmas” (Pe’a Records & Entertainment)

Most Promising Artist of the Year

• Keanali’iomanae Bertelmann for “Ku’u Kulawai”(Studio Kumau)
• Kenny Tagavilla for “Crusin'” (Kenny T Music)

Favorite Entertainer of the Year (online general public votes)

• Kenny Tagavilla
• Wehilei
• Natalie Ai Kamauu

Compilation Album of the Year (Producer’s Award)

• “Mele Ho’opulapula, Vol. 2” by Various Artists

Anthology of the Year (Producer’s Award

• “The Lāhui Project Anthology 1” by Various Artists

Hawaiian Music Album of the Year

• “Ku’u Kulāiwi” by Keanali’iomanae Bertelmann

Instrumental Album of the Year

• “Earwax” by Jaz Kaiwiko’o- (The Lahui Project- Poly Urban)
• “The Art of Improvisation” by Dennis and Christy Soares

Island Music Album of the Year

• “Natalie Noelani” by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)

Jazz Album of the Year

• “Jazz at Manta” by Gary Washburn & Jesse Snyder (Sax Monkey Hawai’i)

R & B Album of the Year

• “Time is Now” by Maelan Abran (Pīkake Records)

Haku Mele

• “Hanohano Laʻiʻōpua” by Holeka Goro Inaba & Makakoa Inaba

Hawaiian Language Performance

• “Ku’u Kulāiwi” by Keanali’iomanae Bertelmann

Contemporary Album of the Year

• “Slacknova” by Bad Papa

General Engineering

• Dave Tucciarone & Kapena DeLima for Natalie Noelani by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)

Rock Album of the Year

• “3” The Darkness And The Light by Average Joes (Play That Disco Productions)

Head to our sister station Kapa Radio’s Facebook page to see some live footage from KAPA’s DJ Darde Gamayo from the event.

For a full list of winners, click here.

*Editor’s Note: Information in this article has been updated to ensure accuracy.