Na Hoku Hanohano Awards 2019 Finalists Announced

See who's nominated for what at Hawaii's annual premier music award show.

Every year, Hawaii’s top musicians are celebrated and awarded for their efforts at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, Hawaii’s annual premier music award show. Although the event is still a ways off, May 25, finalists have been selected for the many categories the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards celebrates, such as Single of the Year, Music Video of the Year and Hawaiian EP Release of the Year. 

Below are the nominees for the general award categories of 2019. Check out the full list, which includes the genre categories, in the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards website. 

Album of the Year

Aloha from Na Hoa – Na Hoa  (NH Records)  Ikaika Blackburn, Keoni Souza, and Halehaku Seabury, producers
Lei Lehua – Mark Yamanaka  (Hulu Kupuna Productions)  Mark Yamanaka and Kellen Paik, producers
Na Wai Eha – Na Wai Eha  (NWE Records)  Dave Tucciarone and Na Wai Eha, producers
No Anei – Kalani Pea  (Kalani Pea Music, LLC)  Dave Tucciarone, Kalani Pea, and Allan B. Cool, producers
Ua Ko, Ua Aina – Keauhou  (Keauhou)  Keauhou, producer

EP (“Extended Play”) Release of the Year

<3 (Less than 3) – Tim Rose  (no label listed)
Finding My Way – Drew Henmi  (no label listed)
From the Island of Maui – Greg Dipiazza & Joel Katz  (no label listed)
Home – Nick Kurosawa  (Aloha Got Soul)
Keoni Ku – Keoni Ku  (Tribal Treble Records)
My Hawaii (Will Always Be Here) – Kamuela Kahoano  (Green Light Go HI Productions)
Tribute to Pat Benatar, A – Evil Genius  (Tin Idol Productions)

Hawaiian EP (“Extended Play”) Release of the Year

He Lani Ko Luna, He Honua Ko Lalo – Institute of Hawaiian Music UH Maui College  (Institute of Hawaiian Music), Keola Donaghy and Joel Katz, producers
Maunakea Ku Hanohano – Pandanus Club  (KM Music)
Moments – Marlowe  (no label listed)

Single of the Year

Heartstrings – Kolohe Kai  (RKD Inc.)
Morning Drive – Mark Yamanaka  (Hulu Kupuna Productions)
My Hawaii (Will Always Be Here) – Kamuela Kahoanao  (Green Light Go HI Productions)
Puu Kekaa – Mondokane/Amy Hanaialii  (Coconut Gold Records)
Talk With You Again – John Keawe  (John Keawe – Homestead Productions)

Hawaiian Single of the Year

Aia La O Pele – Kailua Moon  (Lava Rock Music)
E Pii Mai – Kamaka Camarillo  (Kamaka Camarillo)
He Aloha Waiau – Waipuna  (Poki Records)
Ka Lamaku – Kaleo Phillips  (Phat Bula Records)
Kalikokawai:  The Bud in the Water – A Motherʻs Love – Robi Kahakalau and Brickwood Galuteria (Kuleana Breakfast Club)

Song of the Year

Eo E Na Wai Eha by Kamalei Kawaa, Kamaehu Kawaa, Gregory Kahikina Juan, Edward Kalanikini Juan from Na Wai Eha – Na Wai Eha (NWE Records)
Kipona Aloha by Nathan Aweau – Mau Loa Bass Plus Music Arts
Lei Lehua by Mark Yamanaka and Kalikolihau Paik  from Lei Lehua – Mark Yamanaka  (Hulu Kupuna Productions)
Leo Kamaaina by Keawe Lopes and Keoni Souza  from Aloha from Na Hoa – Na Hoa  (NH Records)
Waikalua by Nicholas Kealii Lum  from Ua Ko, Ua Aina – Keauhou  (Keauhou)

Instrumental Composition of the Year

Aalii Ku Makani by Aldrine Guerrero from Ola Ka Aina – Various Kanilea Artists  (Kanilea Ukulele)
Kaius by Kamuela Kahoano from My Hawaii (Will Always Be Here) – Green Light Go HI Productions
Lele by Kaleo Phillips  from E Mama – Kaleo Phillips  (Maui Tribe Records)
Water by Taimane Gardner  from Elemental – Tamaine  (Diamond Entertainment LLC)

Music Video of the Year

Celebrate – Henry Kapono  (Kapono Records)
E Pii Mai – Kamaka Camarillo  (featuring Wikz) (Kamaka Camarillo)
Highway In The Sun – Kimie Miner  (Roxface Productions)
Hilo March – Kalani Pea (featuring Amy Hanaialii and Willie K)  (Kalani Pea Music LLC)
Waikalua – Keauhou  (Keauhou)

Female Vocalist of the Year

Aja  for Pilina  (no label listed)
Anuhea  for Follow Me:  Deluxe Hawaii Edition  (Sono Record Group/AnuheaJams)
Karlie G  for Have Fun  (Karlie Goya)
Maggie Herron  for Ton of Trouble, A  (Herron Song Records)
Cindy Paulos  for Peace, Music, and Poems  (Bright Light Productions)

Male Vocalist of the Year

Nathan Aweau for Mau Loa  (Bass Plus Music Arts)
Sean Naauao for Na Keiki O Hawaii   (Maliona Records)
Cyril Pahinui for Marketplace  (Pahinui Productions)
Kalani Pea for No Anoi  (Kalani Pea Music LLC)
Mark Yamanaka  for Lei Lehua  (Hulu Kūpuna Productions)

Group of the Year

Ekolu  for Ekolu Music 3:  For Hawaii  (Waiehu Records)
Keauhou  for Ua Ko, Ua Aina  (Keauhou)
Na Hoa  for Aloha from Na Hoa  (NH Records)
Na Wai Eha for Na Wai Eha  (NWE Records)
Waipuna for Waipuna  (Poki Records)

Most Promising Artist of the Year

Pomaikai Brown for Pomai Duets – At the Piano with Legendary Friends  (Pomai Records)
DeShannon Higa for Words Cannot Express  (Wind and Song Productions)
Keoni Ku for Keoni Ku  (Tribal Treble Records)
Na Wai Eha for Na Wai Eha  (NWE Records)
Kaleo Phillips for E Mama  (Maui Tribe Records)
Leato S. Savini for Kuu Home O Waianae  (Tulipa Style LLC)