Traditional Hawaiian trio wins big at Na Hoku Hanohano Hawaii music awards

Na Hoa, a traditional Hawaiian music trio, was among the big winners at the 36th annual 2013 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards ceremony (Hawaii’s music industry equivalent to the Grammys) held over the weekend in Honolulu.The group won four awards, including album of the year for the group’s self-titled and first-ever album. The other awards: group of the year, most promising artist, and Hawaiian music album of the year. Na Hoa’s members include Ikaika Blackburn (ukulele), Keone Souza (bass) and Halehaku Seabury-Akaka (guitar). Na hoa, which translates as “the friends,” formed in 2002.

Here’s a listing of the 2013 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards winners.

• Female Vocalist of the Year — Amy Hanaialii, My Father’s Granddaughter (UA)

• Male Vocalist of the Year — Weldon Kekauoha, Pilialoha (‘Ohelo)

• Most Promising Artists of the Year — Na Hoa, Na Hoa (Na Hoa)

• Anthology Album of the Year (Producers Award) — A 20 Year Collection Of The Mana‘o Company, The Mana‘o Company (Dan Pa), Danny Kennedy and Dave Tucciarone, producers
Alternative Album of the Year—“Contrast,” Sing The Body (‘Aumakua)

• Group of the Year — Na Hoa

• Jazz Album of the Year — I Wish You Love, Melveen Leed (ML Records)

• Island Music Album of the Year— ‘Io, Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus)

• Christmas Album of the Year — Hilo For The Holidays, Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele)

• Religious Album of the Year — Glory To God On High, Jeff Rasmussen and James Rubin (Glory To God)

• Instrumental Composition of the Year (Composer Award) — Tell U What, Brittni Paiva (Brittni Paiva)

• Extended Play (EP) Release of the Year — Wahi Mahalo, Kamakakehau Fernandez (Kamakakehau)

• Instrumental Album of the Year — Steel’n Love, Bobby Ingano (Kuiʻouʻou)

• Slack Key Album of the Year — Slack Key Huaka‘i, Patrick Landeza (Addison Street)

• Single of the Year — Merry Christmas Darling, Waipuna (Poki)

• Music Video/DVD — The Hawaiian Legends: Live In Concert, various artists (Kuleana)

• Rock Album of the Year — The Blinding Speed Of Trust, The Piranha Brothers (‘Aumakua)

• Hip-Hop Album of the Year — Live From Soul Sound, Evasive Species (‘Aumakua)

• Reggae Album of the Year — The Change I’m Seeking, Mike Love (Love Not War)

• Hawaiian Music Album of the Year — Na Hoa, Na Hoa (UA)

• Contemporary Album Of The Year — My Father’s Granddaughter, Amy Hanaialii (UA)

• Ukulele Album of the Year — Tell U What, Brittni Paiva (Brittni Paiva)

• Compilation Album of the Year (Producers Award) — Lanaʻi Slack Key Festival: Live Kiho‘alu At  Ke‘ele, various artists (Jazz Alley), Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, John Keawe, Kevin Brown, Brother Noland,
Kenneth Martinez Burgmaier, Cindy Combs, Benny Uyetake and Dave Lower, producers

• Album of the Year — Na Hoa, Na Hoa and Dave Tucciarone, producers

• Song of the Year — Uhiwai, Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus)

• Favorite Entertainer of the Year — Weldon Kekauoha

• Graphics Award — B. Kanaiʻa Nakamura for Haʻa, Na Palapalai (Kuana Torres Kahele)

• Liner Notes — Manu Boyd, Robert Cazimero and Shawn Livingston Moseley, Mele ʻAilana: Manu Boyd Island Music, Manu Boyd (Hui Waianuhea)

• Haku Mele (Composer Award) — Kakaʻako Kuʻu ʻAina Aloha, Kaiponohea Hale, from “Ho’ola Lahui, Ho‘oulu Pae ‘Aina: Vibrant People, Thriving Lands,” various artists (Kamehameha Schools)

• Hawaiian Language Performance — Manu Boyd, “Mele ʻAilana: Manu Boyd Island Music” (Hui Waianuhea)

• Engineering Award — Wendell Ching and Kapena De Lima for Shame On You, Kimie (Kimie Miner)

• International Album Recognition Award — Noho Aloha, Maikaʻiloa (no label)

• Moe Keale “Aloha Is” Award for Community Service — Ku’uipo Kamukahi

• Ki Ho’alu Foundation Legacy Award — Dennis Kamakahi

• Maiki Aiu Steel Guitar Legacy Award — Jerry Byrd

For additional information about the annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, click here.