The Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts celebrated the best of Hawaiian and Island music in a glittering event filled with performances and applause on Saturday, July 11, at the Sheraton Waikīkī Beach Resort.
The star-studded evening included performances from Hālau O Kekuhi, Ei Nei, Taimane, Poʻokela, Anthony Pfluke & Friends, Ahe Mālie and TJ Tario, Izik, Kimié Miner, Natalie Ai Kamauu, Melveen Leed, Kainani Kahaunaele & Kainaulono Hāpai, Kalapana.
Ei Nei took home six Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, including: Group of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year (Producer’s & Artist’s Award), Song of the Year (Composer’s Award), Island Music Album of the Year, and Favorite Entertainer of the Year.
Kimié Miner was named Female Vocalist of the Year. She also won Extended Play of the Year and Hawaiian Single of the Year for her album “Kuʻu Hawaiʻi.”
“I wanted to take a moment to just thank all of you guys for voting and also to acknowledge all of the talent and the beauty in this room because I see each and every one of you from Kauaʻi to Hawaiʻi Island,” said Miner in her acceptance speech for female vocalist of the year. “I honor every single person here tonight and how connected we all are. We're each on our own journeys, walking on our own paths, and the uniqueness is our leo, our voice, and so I honor each and every voice here tonight, and I honor the 10,000 kūpuna who stand beside each and every one of us creators tonight and then the future — the future generation of all of us.”
Earlier in the night, Miner won EP of the Year. She accepted that award while holding her daughter.
Izik was named Male Vocalist of the Year. He also won Alternative Album of the Year for "KŌWĀ.” In his acceptance speech, he told the audience he had been eating chocolate cake when his name was announced. The artist also shared how his grandmother used to tape the awards and make him watch as a kid.
“I just want you guys to know that this means so, so, so, so much to me,” he said. “I really did not think I was gonna win this.”
Here is the full list of winners, listed in the order that awards were announced:
Instrumental Composition of the Year (Composer's Award)
"Lauleʻa" by Jeff Peterson (Jeff Peterson Productions)
Instrumental Album of the Year
"ʻUkulele Story" by Herb Ohta, Jr. (Lele Music Productions)
Most Promising Artist(s) of the Year
Baba Tavares (Joshua Tavares)
Contemporary Album of the Year
"Drifting On Island Time" by Kalaʻe Camarillo (Kalaʻe Camarillo)
Island Music Album of the Year
"Ei Nei, Look At Us" by Ei Nei (Ei Nei LLC)
Reggae Album of the Year
"Strictly Originals" by Ekolu (Waiehu Records)
Hawaiian Music Album of the Year
"Mānaiakalani" by Kamalei Kawaʻa (Kamalei Kawaʻa Music LLC)
Hawaiian Extended Play of the Year
"Hanohano Hōnaunau" by Baba Tavares (Joshua Tavares)
Extended Play of the Year
"Ku’u Hawai’i" by Kimié Miner (Kimié Miner Music LLC)
Hawaiian Single of the Year
"Ku’u Hawai’i" by Kimié Miner (Kimie Miner Music LLC)
Single of the Year
"Hawai‘i Forever" by Ei Nei (Ei Nei LLC)
Music Video of the Year
"Uihā Whoa" by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records LLC)
Hawaiian Music Video of the Year
"E Ola Kākou Ē" by Kamaka Camarillo & Anthony Pfluke (Kamaka Camarillo & Anthony Pfluke)
Hawaiian Language Performance of the Year
”‘Ōlauniu” by ʻŌlauniu (ʻŌlauniu)
Haku Mele of the Year
Kyle Kamalani Moriguchi for “Nā Puʻu ʻEkolu” from”‘Ōlauniu” by ʻŌlauniu (ʻŌlauniu)
Favorite Entertainer of the Year
Ei Nei (Ei Nei LLC)
Group of the Year
Ei Nei for “Ei Nei, Look at Us” (Ei Nei LLC)
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kimié Miner (Kimié Miner Music LLC)
Male Vocalist of the Year
Izik (Izik)
Song of the Year (Composer's Award)
"Hawaiʻi Forever" by Ei Nei (Ei Nei, LLC)
Album of the Year (Producer’s & Artist’s Award)
"Ei Nei, Look At Us" by Ei Nei (Ei Nei LLC)
The pre-show awards included:
Moe Keale “Aloha Is” Award
Roy Sakuma
Kī Hōʻalu Foundation Legacy
Glen Smith of Hoʻokena
International Album Recognition Award
“Ka Hōkū ʻŌlino” by Kaulana (Kaulana)
Liner Notes of the Year
Luana Kawa’a & Cierra Kawa’a / “Mānaiakalani” by Kamalei Kawaʻa
Graphics Award
Kanaiʻa Nakamura / “Hoene” by Sonny Lim
General Engineering Award
Johnny Helm / “Summertime” by Henry Kapono
Hawaiian Engineering Award
Michael Grande / ”‘Ōlauniu” by ʻŌlauniu
Jazz Album of the Year
"Yesterday's Lives" by Maggie Herron (Herron Song Records)
Alternative Album of the Year
"KŌWĀ" by Izik (Izik)
Hip Hop Album of the Year
"Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke" by Super Groupers & Punahele (Zenbu Records)
Contemporary Acoustic Album of the Year
"Ku‘u Lei Lokelani" by Anthony Pfluke (Anthony Pfluke)
Rock Album of the Year
"A Tribute To Van Halen" by Tin Idols (Tin Idol Productions)
Metal Album of the Year
"Madame Pele" by Storm (Tin Idol Productions)
Hawaiian Slack Key Album of the Year
"Hoene" by Sonny Lim (Lele Music Productions)
Christmas Single of the Year
"Christmas Christmas Time is Here" by Kala'e + Kalena & Zeo Worship (Zeo Music LLC)
Religious Album of the Year
"LIVE" by Zeo Worship (Zeo Music LLC)
Anthology of the Year (Producer's Award)
"Kalapana 50th Anniversary - Timeless Voyage" by Kalapana (Pony Canyon Inc.)
Compilation Album of the Year (Producer's Award)
"Mele Pūnana Leo" by Various Artists (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
