Maui Makes Music at 2014 Nā Hōkū Awards

Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards 2014. Photo courtesy Frolic Hawaii / Melissa Chang.

By Wendy Osher

Maui took top honors in the 37th Annual edition of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, with Maui’s Hulu Lindsey winning the female vocalist of the year category, and Kamaka Kukona tying for first in the male vocalist of the year category.

Kukona was also honored with the most promising artists category for his album Hanu ‘A’ala.

Other Maui honorees included the Hula Honeys for their Jazz album A Hui Hou: Until We Meet Again; Jeff Peterson for his Slack-key album Slack Key Travels; and Daryl Fujiwara for his graphics on Kamaka Kukona’s Hanu ‘A’ala album.

The complete list of 2014 winners is as follows:

• Female vocalist of the year: Hulu Lindsey, “A He Leo Wale No E” (Kahulu)
• Male vocalist (tie): Kamaka Kukona, “Hanu ‘A’ala” (Hanu); Mark Yamanaka, “Lei Maile” (Hulu Kupuna)
• Group: The Green, “Hawai’i ’13″ (Easy Star)
• Most promising artist: Kamaka Kukona, “Hanu ‘A’ala” (Hanu)
• Favorite entertainer: The Green
• Album: “Lei Maile,” Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna), producers Kale Chang, Mark Yamanaka, Kellen Paik and Kalikolihau Hannahs Paik
• EP (extended play): “Napili,” Waipuna (Poki)
• Single: “Maui Under Moonlight,” Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna)
• Song (composer’s award): “E Ku’u Lei, My Love,” Kuana Torres Kahele, from “E Ku’u Lei, My Love,” Kuana Torres Kahele and Maila Gibson (Kuana Torres Kahele)
• Instrumental composition: “Napili Bay,” by David Kamakahi and Herb Ohta Jr., from “Napili,” Waipuna (Poki)
• Alternative album: “Just Dream,” Amanda Frazier (Amanda Frazier)
• Anthology album (producers award): “Eia,” Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko), producers Dave Tucciarone, Iolani Kamauu and Natalie Ai Kamauu
• Christmas album: “Lei Kulaia,” Napua (Pihana)
• Compilation album (producer’s award): “The Haumana” soundtrack, various artists (Koops2), producers Shawn Pimental and Keo Woolford
• Contemporary album: “Cast Your Cares,” Kapena De Lima (KDE)
• Hawaiian-music album: “Lei Maile,” Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna)
• Hip-hop album: “The Akira Project,” The Akira Project (‘Aumakua)
• Instrumental album: “Stainless: Steel Guitar Stylings of Greg Sardinha,” Greg Sardinha (Keala)
• Island music album: “Bumbye,” Kupaoa (Hulu Kupuna)
• Jazz album: “A Hui Hou: Until We Meet Again,” Hula Honeys (Community)
• Music video/DVD: “Let’s Play Music: Slack Key With Cyril Pahinui & Friends,” various artists (Pacific Islanders/’Oiwi), producers Na’alehu Anthony and Cyril Pahinui
• R&B album: “Yoza,” Yoza (Yoza)
• Reggae album: “Hawai’i ’13,” The Green (Easy Star)
• Religious album: “Hope is Alive,” New Hope Oahu with Pastor Wayne Cordeiro (Dream)
• Rock album: “Dangerous Crossing,” Stuart Hollinger (Keala)
• Slack-key album: “Slack Key Travels,” Jeff Peterson (Peterson)
• Ukulele album: “Pure ‘Ukulele,” Herb Ohta Jr. (Lele)
• Graphics (designer’s award): Daryl Fujiwara for “Hanu ‘A’ala,” Kamaka Kukona (Hanu)
• Liner notes: Kale Chang and Kalikolihau Hannahs for “Lei Maile,” Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna)
• Haku mele (composer’s award): “Bumbye,” Puakea Nogelmeier, from “Bumbye,” Kupaoa (Hulu Kapuna)
• Hawaiian-language performance: Kupaoa, “Bumbye” (Hulu Kupuna)
• Engineering: Lawrence Yurong, “Na’auao” by Sean Na’auao (Mountain Apple)
• International recognition album: “Moe’uhane,” Hoene (Hoene)
• Ki Ho’alu Foundation Legacy Award: Yuuki “Alani” Yamauchi