Keauhou Wins Big at 2017 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards

May 20, 2017, 10:53 PM HST
* Updated May 23, 11:44 AM

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The islands’ version of the Grammy Awards, the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards celebrated 40 years recognizing local performers in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 1,500, Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the Hawai’i Convention Center.

More than 170 finalists competed for top honors this year in 34 categories.

“It was an unforgettable night toasting to 40 years of this award show that celebrates and brings much-deserved recognition to Hawai’i’s amazing musical artists,” said Pali Ka’aihue, president of the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts. “From show-stopping performances by true legends in Hawai’i music to recognizing our up-and-coming talent it was an evening we will not soon forget.”

Keauhou. Courtesy photo.

Among those awarded, this year’s top winners were Keauhou – the trio of Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio, Nicholas Keali‘i Lum and Zachary Alaka’i Lum — who earned awards in nine categories in connection with their debut album “Keauhou.”

A full list of this yearʻs Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards recipients include:

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GENERAL CATEGORIES

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: KEAUHOU¸ Keauhou (Keauhou) Keauhou – producers

SINGLE OF THE YEAR: “MOLOKA’I ON MY MIND,” Blayne Asing (Asing A Song)

SONG OF THE YEAR: “HANOHANO HA’IKŪ” by Zachary Alaka’i Lum from Keauhou, Keauhou (Keauhou)

EP (“EXTENDED PLAY”) OF THE YEAR: ALO I KE ALO, Mailani (Hā Enterprises)

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INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION (Composer’s award): “KI HO’ALU,” by Cyril Pahinui from HI’ILAWE, Cyril Pahinui (Pahinui Productions)

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: RA’IĀTEA HELM, He Leo Huali, “A Pure Voice” (Ra’iātea Helm Records)

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR: JOSH TATOFI, Pua Kiele (Bu-Print Records)

GROUP OF THE YEAR: KEAUHOU, Keauhou (Keauhou)

MOST PROMISING ARTIST OF THE YEAR: KEAUHOU, Keauhou (Keauhou)

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GENRE CATEGORIES

ANTHOLOGY OF THE YEAR (Producer’s Award): KAMAKA UKULELE PRESENTS: KEEP STRUMMING! CELEBRATING 100 YEARS, Various Artists (Kamaka Hawai’i) Kamaka Hawai’i, Inc. – producers

CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: E WALEA, Kalani Pe’a (Kalani Pe’a Music)

ISLAND MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: PUA KIELE, Josh Tatofi (Bu-Print Records)

RELIGIOUS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: RIGHTEOUS SON RIZE, Rupert Tripp, Jr. (RTJ Music)

HAWAIIAN MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR: KEAUHOU, Keauhou (Keauhou)

INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: WAHI PANA, SONGS OF PLACE, Jeff Peterson (Peterson Productions)

ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: KUKAHI, Kukahi Lee (Makalii Productions)

CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: MAUI SLACK KEY CHRISTMAS, George Kahumoku, Jr. (Kealia Farms Records)

COMPILATION ALBUM OF THE YEAR: MELE FROM AUNTY’S BEACH HOUSE AULANI, A DISNEY RESORT AND SPA, Various Artists (Walt Disney Records) Kenneth Makuakāne – producer

HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: HI’ILAWE, Cyril Pahinui (Pahinui Productions)

HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LOVE’S HERETIC, Tantra (no label)

COMEDY ALBUM or COMEDY DVD OF THE YEAR: I AM A BAD DECISION, Brandi Morgan (Pass Out Records)

JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR: BETWEEN THE MUSIC AND THE MOON, Maggie Herron (Herron Song Records)

MUSIC DVD OF THE YEAR: HAWAII ALOHA – SONG ACROSS HAWAII, Various Artists (Mana Maoli)

REGGAE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: TALES OF THE FRUIT STAND MYSTIC, Kanekoa (no label)

ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR: OVERTHROW, THE, Nesta (no label)

‘UKULELE ALBUM OF THE YEAR: JUS’ PRESS, VOL. 2, Led Kaapana (Jus’ Press)

TECHNICAL CATEGORIES

GRAPHICS AWARD: KAWIKANUI KAHELE for KU’U PUA SAKURA, Hōkū Zuttermeister (Kaleiola Records)

LINER NOTES: ZACHARY ALAKAʻI LUM for KEAUHOU, Keauhou (Keauhou)

ADJUCTED CATEGORIES

HAKU MELE AWARD: “HANOHANO HA’IKŪ” by Zachary Alakaʻi Lum from KEAUHOU, Keauhou (Keauhou)

HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE PERFORMANCE AWARD: KEAUHOU, Keauhou (Keauhou)

INTERNATIONAL ALBUM SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD: MY FAVORITE THINGS, Ukulele Swing Trio (JB Music)

HAWAIIAN ENGINEERING AWARD: DAVE TUCCIARONE for HE LEO HUALI, “A PURE VOICE,” Ra’iātea Helm (Ra’iātea Helm Records)

GENERAL ENGINEERING AWARD: DAVID KAUAHIKAUA for WHENEVER YOU COME AROUND, A Touch of Gold (Kuleana Breakfast Club)

FAVORITE ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR: KEAUHOU

The Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards is one of Mele Mei’s signature events. Mele Mei, which translates to “May Hawaiian Music Month” in Hawaiian, features more than 80 performances throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The celebration provides both residents and visitors from around the world a chance to immerse themselves in the islands’ local music and culture. This year’s impressive schedule of artists and industry icons will take place at various hotels and venues statewide and feature entertainment from ‘ukulele and steel guitar to traditional Hawaiian music and hula.