Napua Makua Tops List of Maui Hoku Winners

By Wendy Osher

Hoku Award winner, Napua Makua is pictured with: KPOA Morning Godess Alaka'i Paleka; mother, Hulu Lindsey; and husband, Andrew Makua.

Maui musician Napua Makua took top honors in the 2011 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards on Sunday night. In addition to being named Favorite Entertainer, Makua also earned Hoku awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Hawaiian Album of the Year. Her Mohalu album also won accolades for Cover Design, created by graphic artist Wailani Artates.

Other Maui highlights include Willie K, who won the Hoku for Christmas Album of the Year, Amy Hanaiali’i who took home the Hoku for Island Music Album, and Ata Damasco, for Religious Album.

KPOA Morning Godess Alaka'i Paleka presented Makua with one of her Hoku Awards, while fellow KPOA on-air personality, Shane "HHB" Kahalehau was among the 2011 Hoku nominees for Religious Album.

Below is a list of highlights from the 2011 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards:

Most Promising Artist(s):  Mark Yamanaka – Lei Pua Kenikeni

Female Vocalist of the Year:  Napua Makua – Mōhalu

Male Vocalist of the Year:  Mark Yamanaka – Lei Pua Kenikeni

Group of the Year:  Kumz – On the Summit

Album of the Year:  Lei Pua Kenikeni – Mark Yamanaka

Song of the Year:  KALEOONALANI by Mark Yamanaka from LEI PUA KENIKENI

Single of the Year:  He Lei Kaulana – Na Palapalai

Extended Play Release of the Year:  Solo Ukulele – The King of Pop – Abe Lagrimas, Jr. and Friends

Anthology of the Year – Producer’s Award:  Best of Na Palapalai, The – Na Palapalai; Shawn Pimental, producer

Christmas Album of the Year:  WILLIE WONDERLAND ­– Willie K

Compilation of the Year (Various artists) – Producer’s Award:  Kona – Dave Tucciarone, producer

Contemporary Album of the Year:  Forevermore – Ben Vegas and Maila Gibson

Hawaiian Album of the Year:  Mohalu – Napua Makua

Instrumental Album of the Year:  ‘Ukulele Nahenahe – Herb Ohta, Jr.

Island Music Album of the Year:  Amy Hanaialii and the Slack Key Masters of Hawaii – Amy Hanaiali‘i and Slack Key Masters

Jazz Album of the Year:  Django Would Go – Hot Club of Hulaville

R&B / Hip Hop:  Coconut Wireless – Kepa Cruse

Reggae Album of the Year:  Green, The – The Green

Religious Album of the Year:  Somewhwere Up Ahead – Gospel Hymns of Hawaii, Vol. II – Ata Damasco

Rock Album of the Year:  STREAM DREAMS – Kamuela Kahoano

Slack Key Album of the Year:  PLAY WITH ME PAPA – John Keawe

Favorite Entertainer:  Napua Makua