The winners of the 46th Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards were announced during a ceremony held Saturday at the Hawaiʻi Theatre. Big winners this year were Natalie Ai Kamauu and Wehilei.

WINNERS & FINALISTS

Winners are highlighted below.

General Categories

Album of the Year (Producer’s & Artist’s Award)

• Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1 by Festivals Of Aloha (Haku Records) – Wailau Ryder & Daryl Fujiwara, Producers
• Ho‘omana‘o by Nathan Aweau (BP Music Arts) – Nathan Aweau, Producer
• I Le‘a by Keauhou (Keauhou) – Keauhou, Producers
• Ka Haku Mele by Kealiʻi Reichel, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cody Pueo Pata & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa) – Zachary Alakaʻi Lum, Producer
• Music Heals The Soul by Wehilei (Wehilei Music) – Wailau Ryder & Wehilei Lim-Ryder, Producers
• *Natalie Noelani by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records) – Natalie Ai Kamauu, Iolani Kamauu, Dave Tucciarone & Kapena DeLima, Producers

EP (Extended Play”) of the Year

• *Child of These Islands by Kala‘e Camarillo (Kala‘e Camarillo)
• Faith by Dillon Pakele (Dillon Pakele)
• It’s Christmas All Over The World by The Makaha Sons (Ha.Ka. Entertainment)
• Sweet Island Music by Chardonnay (Hifi Records)
• This Is by Crossing Rain (Pono Entertainment, LLC)

Hawaiian EP (“Extended Play”) of the Year

• *A‘ea‘e by A‘ea‘e – Tarvin Makia, Jeff Dayton, Keola Donaghy, Kenneth Makuakāne (Nani Kama‘ole Music)
• He Mele No Pāpā Too, More Songs For Dad by Kalani Miles (Mea Nui Records)
• Waikapū by Lee Gonsalves (Tin Idol Productions)

Single of the Year

• *Kohala, HI by Wehilei (Wehilei Music)
• Nā Iwi feat. No‘eau Kalima by Kamaka Camarillo (Kamaka Camarillo)
• Saltwater Kiss by Kimie Miner (Haku Records)
• Sweet Life by Henry Kapono (Kapono Records)
• These Islands by Kala‘e (Kala‘e)

Hawaiian Single of the Year

• Aia I Kīlauea (‘Ā Mai) by A‘ea‘e – Makia, Dayton, Donaghy, Makuakāne (Nani Kama‘ole Music)
• Hulali E by Ei Nei (Ei Nei)
• Ke Ali‘i Ho‘opulapula by Manu Boyd & Kaulana Vares feat. Robert Cazimero & Kupu Dalire-Na‘auao (Kāhuli Leo Le‘a)
• Mokihana Lullaby by Stacie Ku‘ulei (Tin Idol Productions)
• *No Waimea Ke Aloha by Natalie Ai Kamauu & Iolani Kamauu (Keko Records)
• Paukūkalo by Kamalei Kawa‘a & Cody Pueo Pata (Kāhuli Leo Le‘a)

Christmas Single of the Year

• Christmas Angels by Kapena (KDE Records)
• It’s Christmas Time Again by Kala‘e Camarillo (Kala‘e Camarillo)
• O Come Let Us Adore Him by Zeo Worship (Zeo Music)
• O Holy Night by Stacie Ku‘ulei (Tin Idol Productions)
• Season Of Aloha by Walea ( Walea Music)

Music Video of the Year

• Aina Hanau by Nathan Aweau (BP Music Arts) – Jason Honeycutt – Video Director / Nathan Aweau – Music Producer
• Crusin’ by Wehilei (Wehilei Music) – Wailau Ryder – Video Director / Wilau Ryder – Music Producer
• Pipeline’s Daughter by Taimane (Diamond Entertainment, LLC) – Gerard Elmore – Video Director / Taimane – Music Producer
• *These Islands by Kala‘e (Kala‘e) – Michael Balke & Audrey Myers – Video Directors / Imua Garza – Music Producer
• We Have A Kuleana by Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus (Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus) – David Kusumoto & Liko Dowling – Video Directors / Lynell K. Bright – Music Producer

Hawaiian Music Video of the Year

• Hanohano ‘o Maui Nui A Kama/Ho‘oheno A‘o Pi‘ilani by Institute Of Hawaiian Music (IHM) – Leihuanani Keali‘inohomoku– Video Director / Keola Donaghy – Music Producer
• He ‘A‘ali‘i Au by Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus (Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus) – David Kusumoto & Liko Dowling – Video Directors / Lynell K. Bright – Music Producer
• Ka Wai ‘Apo Lani by Keauhou (Keauhou) – Keliʻi Grace – Video Director / Keauhou – Music Producers
• No Waimea Ke Aloha by Natalie Ai Kamauu & Iolani Kamauu (Keko Records) – Chaz Kamauu – Video Director / Dave Tucciarone – Music Producer
• Pua ‘Āhihi by Leokāne Pryor & Jim “Kimo” West (Naupaka Productions) – Leokane Pryor – Video Director / Jim “Kimo” West – Music Producer
• Sakura by Steven Espaniola (SheGo) – Duncan O’Brien – Video Director / Dave Tucciarone – Music Producer

Instrumental Composition of the Year (Composer’s Award) (tie – 2 winners)

• Always Be There by Kris Fuchigami (Kris Fuchigami) – Kris Fuchigami, Composer
• Anakala by Ka‘imi Hanano‘eau (Loihi Inc) – Ka’imi Hanano’eau, Composer
• Dada by Nicholas Kaleikini (Ming Pur Records) – Nicholas Kaleikini, Composer
• Mauna Kea Beach Blues by Gary Washburn & Jesse Snyder (Sax Monkey Hawaii) – Gary Washburn, Composer
• Pipeline’s Daughter by Taimane (Diamond Entertainment, LLC) – Taimane Tauiliili Bobbie Gardner, Composer

Song of the Year (Composer’s Award)

• No Waimea Ke Aloha by Natalie Ai Kamauu & Iolani Kamauu (Keko Records) – Taupori Tangaro & Natalie Ai Kamauu, Composers
• Old Kihei by Kala‘e Camarillo (Kala‘e Camarillo) – Kalaʻe Camarillo, Composer
• Sweet Life by Henry Kapono (Kapono Records) – Henry Kapono Ka’aihue, Composer
• These Islands by Kala‘e (Kala‘e) – Kalaʻe Parish, Composer
• Wrapped In A Bow by Kalani Pe‘a (Pe‘a Records & Entertainment) – Kalani Pe’a & Wailau Ryder, Composers

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Maelan Abran for Time Is Now (Pīkake Records)
• *Natalie Ai Kamauu for Natalie Noelani (Keko Records)
• Rachel Morley for Maranatha Live from Honolulu Album Vol 1 (Zeo Music)
• Sandy Essman for Renaissance: Volume 2 (Tin Idol Productions)
• Stacie Ku‘ulei for Sweet Baby (Tin Idol Productions)
• Wehilei for Music Heals The Soul (Wehilei Music)

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Dillon Pakele for Faith (Dillon Pakele)
• Kala‘e Camarillo for Child of These Islands (Kala‘e Camarillo)
• Kalani Miles for He Mele No Pāpā Too, More Songs For Dad (Mea Nui Records)
• Kalani Pe‘a for Purple Hawaiian Christmas (Pe‘a Records & Entertainment)
• *Nathan Aweau for Ho‘omana‘o (BP Music Arts)

Group of the Year

• *A‘ea‘e for A‘ea‘e -Tarvin Makia, Jeff Dayton, Keola Donaghy, Kenneth Makuakāne (Nani Kama‘ole Music)
• Hoaka for Kalai Pōhaku (Mea Nui Records LLC)
• Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus for Nā Pono Hawai‘i (Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus)
• Keauhou for I Le‘a (Keauhou)
• The Tonga Sisters for I Believe (Shadow Mountain Records)

Most Promising Artist(s) of the Year

• Crossing Rain for Dreams (Tirzah Entertainment)
• Chante for Ready (Blessed Sounds)
• Chardonnay for Sweet Island Music (Hifi Records)
• Keanali‘iomanae Bertelmann for Ku‘u Kulāiwi (Studio Kumau)
• Kenny Tagavilla for Crusin‘ (Kenny T Music)
• *Wehilei for Music Heals The Soul (Wehilei Music)

Genre Categories

Alternative Album of the Year

• Give You Everything by Dreams Of Future Machines (Dreams Of Future Machines)
• Glitter Hole by Robbie Quine (Geza X Records)
• Life Is No Joke by Freddy VP (Fvpmusic Productions)
• One by Vishious Fishious (Nanoweber Records)
• Shine Your Light by Big Chief Thunder (Bamboo Room Recording)

Anthology of the Year (Producucers Award)

• Anthology by Toma/Natto (Vivid Sound/Tropic Hawaii Records) – Dave Toma, Richard Natto & Kaz Sakamoto, Producers
• Ho‘āla by Various Artists (On The Up Records) – Eric & Cathy Lagrimas, Producers
• Huliau by Kenneth Makuakāne (Makuakāne Music) – Kenneth Makuakāne, Producer
• The Best Of Storm: Volume 1 by Storm (Tin Idol Productions) – Gerard K. Gonsalves, Darren Soliven, Sandy Essman & Brian Spalding, Producers
• The Lāhui Project Anthology 1 by Various Artists (The Lahui Project – Poly Urban) – Jaz Kaiwikoʻo Yglesias & Kaʻea Lyons Yglesias, Producers

Compilation Album of the Year (Producer’s Award)

• Aloha & Mahalo 3 by Various Artists (Linda Bade Honolulu) – Linda Bade, Lock Lynch, Gerard K. Gonsalves & Imua Garza, Producers
• Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1 by Festivals Of Aloha (Haku Records) – Wailau Ryder & Daryl Fujiwara, Producers
• Ka Haku Mele by Kealiʻi Reichel, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cody Pueo Pata & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa) – Zachary Alakaʻi Lum, Producer
• Mele Ho‘opulapula, Vol. 2 by Various Artists (Kāhuli Leo Le‘a) – Zachary Alakaʻi Lum, Producer

Contemporary Album of the Year

• Duets on Life & Love by Dennis & Christy Soares (Elation Records)
• Past Life Lovers by Shauna McCoy (Shauna McCoy)
• Purple Hawaiian Christmas by Kalani Pe‘a (Pe‘a Records & Entertainment)
• Seasons In The Sun by Michael Chock (Seawind Productions)
• Slacknova by Bad Papa (Bad Papa)

Contemporary Acoustic Album of the Year

• Don’t Stop Believing by Frank Ka‘ano‘i (Frank Ka‘ano‘i Music)
• Renaissance: Volume 2 by Sandy Essman (Tin Idol Productions)
• Wish You Were Here by Richard Natto (RD Music/Firmbizness)

Hawaiian Music Album of the Year

• I Le‘a by Keauhou (Keauhou)
• Ku‘u Kulāiwi by Keanali‘iomanae Bertelmann (Studio Kumau)
• Lanihuli by Leokāne Pryor & Jim “Kimo” West (Naupaka Productions)
• Nēia ‘Āina Aloha by KUmZ (Kauakoko Foundation)

Hip Hop Album of the Year

• Good Catch by TheBrewz (Infinite Companion)
• Ho‘okupu – A Hip-Hop Anthology of Hawaiian History by Various Artists (Hui O Kuapā)
• The Phoenix & The Arsonist by Drifton Limrik + Ohtoro (Zenbu Records)
• XV: The Kama‘āina Classic Experience by I.A. (The Kama‘āina Classic Recordings)

Instrumental Album of the Year

• Da Bruddah Hood by Deems & Friends (J-Town Records)
• Earwax by Jaz Kaiwiko‘o – (The Lahui Project – Poly Urban)
• Hawaiki by Taimane (Diamond Entertainment, LLC)
• S-K1 by Alexander Wong (Alexander Wong)
• The Art Of Improvisation by Dennis & Christy Soares (Elation Records)

Island Music Album of the Year

• Ho‘omana‘o by Nathan Aweau (BP Music Arts)
• Kalai Pōhaku by Hoaka (Mea Nui Records LLC)
• Nā Pono Hawai‘i by Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus (Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus)
• Natalie Noelani by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
• Patrick Landeza & Sons by Patrick Landeza (Addison Street Records)

Jazz Album of the Year

• Eastbound Connection by Aaron Aranita (Sugartown Records)
• From My Heart by Jimmy C (Jimmy C)
• Jazz at Manta by Gary Washburn & Jesse Snyder (Sax Monkey Hawaii)
• Kumau Barn Sessions-‘Āina-Kanaka-Jazz by Apokolani & The Maker Brothers (Ouli Wai/TryLookInside)
• One Man – One Mic – One Guitar – Jazz Standards by Danny Johnson (Living Room Sessions)
• Straight Ahead by The Honolulu Jazz Quartet (Honolulu Jazz Quartet)

Metal Album of the Year

• Noise Pollution by Iron Lotus (Iron Lotus)
• The Doomsday Clock by SIN73 (Tin Idol Productions)
• The Fortune Queen by Storm (Tin Idol Productions)
• The Insatiable Doomsday Machine by The Midnight Skulls (Tin Idol Productions)

R&B Album of the Year

• Ascension by Tre Tru (TRUMedia)
• Sweet Baby by Stacie Ku‘ulei (Tin Idol Productions)
• Time Is Now by Maelan Abran (Pīkake Records)

Reggae Album of the Year

• Better Days by Jeremiah Kaholoaa (Miah Music Molokai)
• Music Heals The Soul by Wehilei (Wehilei Music)
• Squid Lu‘au by The Urchinz (Vanarec)

Religious Album of the Year

• By The Grace Of God by Jeff Rasmussen & Harrison Murray (Mango Tree Music)
• Declarations by C4 Worship (Zeo Music)
• Hemolele by Zeo Worship (Zeo Worship)
• I Believe by The Tonga Sisters (Shadow Mountain Records)
• Maranatha Live from Honolulu Album Vol 1 by Rachel Morley (Zeo Music)

Rock Album of the Year

• “3” The Darkness And The Light by Average Joes (Play That Disco Productions)
• Eight Palms Ranch by Paul West (Basement Money Records)
• Real Slick by Eyes Of Red (Tin Idol Productions)

Favorite Entertainer of the Year

Taimane

Adjudicated Categories

General Engineering of the Year

• Dave Tucciarone & Kapena DeLima for Natalie Noelani by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
• Imua Garza for Maranatha Live from Honolulu Album Vol 2 by Rachel Morley (Zeo Music)
• Lock Lynch for One by Vishious Fishious (Nanoweber Records)
• Malamaponomaikalani Patoc for Ready by Chante (Blessed Sounds)
• Michael Casil for Purple Hawaiian Christmas by Kalani Pe’a (Pe’a Records & Entertainment)

Hawaiian Engineering of the Year

• Joel Katz, Keola Donaghy, Kenneth Makuakäne & Tarvin Makia for A’ea’e by A’ea’e (Nani Kama’ole Music)
• Michael Casil for Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1 by Festivals Of Aloha (Haku Records)
• Michael Grande for I Le’a by Keauhou (Keauhou)
• Michael Grande for Ka Haku Mele by Keali’i Reichel, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cory Pueo Pata & Zachary Alakai Lum (Kähuli Leo Le’a)
• Michael Grande for Mele Ho’opulapula, Vol. 2 by Various Artists (Kähuli Leo Le’a)

Graphics of the Year

• Chaz Kamauu for Natalie Noelani by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
• Gerard K. Gonsalves for The Fortune Queen by Storm (Tin Idol Productions)
• Kanai’a Nakamura & Kanaeokana for Mele Ho’opulapula, Vol. 2 by Various Artists (Kähuli Leo Le’a)
• Mele McPherson for Better Days by Jeremiah Kaholoaa (Miah Music Molokai)
• Pualena Pakele & Cabot for Neia ‘Áina Aloha by KUmZ (Kauakoko Foundation)

Haku Mele of the Year

• Hanohano Laʻiʻōpua – Holeka Goro Inaba & Makakoa Inaba, Composers from Hanohano Laʻiʻōpua by Holeka Goro Inaba & Makakoa Inaba (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
• Kahalaoweke – Cody Pueo Pata, Composer from Ka Haku Mele by Kealiʻi Reichel, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cody Pueo Pata & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
• Kuʻu ʻĀina ʻo Papakōlea – Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio & Laʻamea Paleka, Composers from Kuʻu ʻĀina ʻo Papakōlea by Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio & Laʻamea Paleka (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
• Nani Wale ʻO Piʻiholo – Kealiʻi Reichel, Composer from Ka Haku Mele by Kealiʻi Reichel, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cody Pueo Pata & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
• Ulupō Nui – Kīhei de Silva & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum, Composers from I Leʻa by Keauhou (Keauhou)

Hawaiian Language Performance of the Year

• Hemolele by Zeo Worship (Zeo Worship)
• I Leʻa by Keauhou (Keauhou)
• Kuʻu Kulāiwi by Keanaliʻiomanae Bertelmann (Studio Kumau)
• Lanihuli by Leokāne Pryor & Jim “Kimo” West (Naupaka Productions)
• Nā Pono Hawaiʻi by Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus (Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus)
• Nēia ʻĀina Aloha by KUmZ (Kauakoko Foundation)

International Album of the Year – Special Recognition Award

• Heavenly Island by Kenta Ebara (Jangling Jamboree)
• My Life by Yoshiko Matsushima (Hone Music)
• Hawaiian Heritage – Ke Aloha ‘Aina by Hiliu (Hili Music)
• Ke’alaokekaimakahikina by Kaulana (Kaulana Entertainment)
• Reach For Tomorrow by Ukulele Swing Trio (JB Music)

Liner Notes of the Year

• Cody Pueo Pata for Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1 by Festivals Of Aloha (Haku Records)
• Keauhou & U’ilani Tanigawa Lum for I Le’a by Keauhou (Keauhou)
• Lihau Paik for Patrick Landeza & Sons by Patrick Landeza (Addison Street Records)
• Lynell K. Bright for Nã Pono Hawaii by Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus (Kamehameha Schools Children’s Chorus)
• Robert Pennybacker for Straight Ahead by The Honolulu Jazz Quartet (Honolulu Jazz Quartet)
• Zachary Alaka’i Lum & Na Haku Mele O Mele Ho’opulapula, Vol. 2 for Mele Ho’opulapula, Vol. 2 by Various Artists (Kahuli Leo Le’a)

Judging

All eligible recordings released between Jan. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2021 and submitted to the Academy were included on the preliminary ballot and voted on by Regular and Associate members of the Academy.

The Adjudicated Categories – Graphics, Liner Notes, the 2 Engineering Awards, Haku Mele, Hawaiian Language Performance, and International Album categories were judged by graphic artists, writers, engineers, Hawaiian language and music specialists.

The preliminary and final ballot votes were conducted online at Election Runner, the Adjudicated Categories, the Favorite Entertainer vote was also conducted online, and the award recipients are announced at the awards.

About the awards

The Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, held annually, are synonymous with excellence and recognition of the highest caliber in the recording arts. The awards highlight the diversity and brilliance of the music across our islands, honoring both established legends and emerging talents in various categories.

“The 46th Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards showcased the incredible depth of talent within Hawai’i’s music community,” said Amy Hānaialiʻi Gilliom, President of HARA. “Through the Hōkū awards and live performances, we are proud to recognize these exceptional artists who continue to push boundaries and create music that resonates with audiences both locally and globally.”

The Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards not only celebrate the achievements of the winners but also serve as a platform to inspire future generations and preserve the essence of Hawaiʻi’s music and culture. The dedication and artistry of the nominees and winners contribute to the ongoing legacy of music, shaping its evolution while staying rooted in its traditions.