Na Hoa — Keoni Souza, Ikaika Blackburn and Halehaku Seabury-Akaka — accept the Na Hokuhanohano Award for Most Promising Artists of the Year on Saturday, May 25. (Star-Advertiser photo by Bruce Asato)
BY JOHN BERGER / jberger@staradvertiser.com
Na Hoa — the staunchly traditionalist Hawaiian trio of Ikaika Blackburn, Halehaku Seabury and Keoni Souza — was the big winner at Saturday night’s 2013 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
The trio’s self-titled debut album won four of the seven awards it was up for: album of the year, group of the year, most promising artist and Hawaiian music album of the year. The award for album of the year goes to the producers of the winning album as well as to the artist, and in this case Na Hoa shared producing credits with industry veteran Dave Tucciarone.
Tucciarone won a second Hoku for his work as co-producer of the winning anthology, “A 20 Year Collection Of The Mana‘o Company.”
Nathan Aweau won two Hokus — island music album and song of the year — for “‘Io.” Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliom took home trophies for the contemporary album and female vocalist of the year for “My Father’s Granddaughter.” Gilliom is now a five-time winner for female vocalist although one of her previous wins is for an album she recorded as a duo with Willie K.
Other repeat winners for the awards, sponsored by the Hawai‘i Academy of Records Arts, included Manu Boyd, known for more than two decades as a founding member of Ho‘okena, who won two Hokus for his solo debut album, “Mele ʻAilana: Manu Boyd Island Music,” and Weldon Kekauoha, a prior winner as a member of The Mana‘o Company, whose solo album, “Pilialoha,” prevailed over intense competition to win in the male vocalist category. Kekauoha also was named favorite entertainer, the only category determined by public vote.
Brittni Paiva picked up wins in the newly created ukulele album and instrumental composition categories.
Kuana Torres Kahele, founding member of Na Palapalai and a top solo artist, did not go home empty-handed. He added another Hoku to his collection when “Hilo For The Holidays” won for top Christmas album.
Overall, the HARA voters appeared to have spread their votes around. Kamakakehau Fernandez and Mike Love both lost to Na Hoa for most promising artist but Fernandez won EP of the year, and Love’s debut album, “The Change I’m Seeking,” was the winner in the reggae category.
2013 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards
Female Vocalist of the Year
Amy Hanaiali‘i, “My Father’s Granddaughter” (UA)
Male Vocalist of the Year
Weldon Kekauoha, “Pilialoha” (‘Ohelo)
Most Promising Artists of the Year
Na Hoa, “Na Hoa” (Na Hoa)
Anthology Album of the Year (Producers Award)
“A 20 Year Collection Of The Mana‘o Company,” The Mana‘o Company (Dan Pa), Danny Kennedy and Dave Tucciarone, producers
Alternative Album of the Year
“Contrast,” Sing The Body (‘Aumakua)
Group of the Year
Na Hoa
Jazz Album of the Year
“I Wish You Love,” Melveen Leed (ML Records)
Island Music Album of the Year
“‘Io,” Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus)
Christmas Album of the Year
“Hilo For The Holidays,” Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele)
Religious Album of the Year
“Glory To God On High,” Jeff Rasmussen and James Rubin (Glory To God)
Instrumental Composition of the Year (Composer Award)
“Tell U What,” Brittni Paiva (Brittni Paiva)
Extended Play (EP) Release of the Year
“Wahi Mahalo,” Kamakakehau Fernandez (Kamakakehau)
Instrumental Album of the Year
“Steel’n Love,” Bobby Ingano (Kuiʻouʻou)
Slack Key Album of the Year
“Slack Key Huaka‘i,” Patrick Landeza (Addison Street)
Single of the Year
“Merry Christmas Darling,” Waipuna (Poki)
Music Video/DVD
“The Hawaiian Legends: Live In Concert,” various artists (Kuleana)
Rock Album of the Year
“The Blinding Speed Of Trust,” The Piranha Brothers (‘Aumakua)
Hip-Hop Album of the Year
“Live From Soul Sound,” Evasive Species (‘Aumakua)
Reggae Album of the Year
“The Change I’m Seeking” Mike Love (Love Not War)
Hawaiian Music Album of the Year
“Na Hoa,” Na Hoa (UA)
Contemporary Album Of The Year
“My Father’s Granddaughter,” Amy Hanaiali‘i (UA)
Ukulele Album of the Year
“Tell U What,” Brittni Paiva (Brittni Paiva)
Compilation Album of the Year (Producers Award)
“Lanaʻi Slack Key Festival: Live Kiho‘alu At Ke‘ele,” various artists (Jazz Alley), Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, John Keawe, Kevin Brown, Brother Noland,
Kenneth Martinez Burgmaier, Cindy Combs, Benny Uyetake and Dave Lower, producers
Album of the Year
“Na Hoa,” Na Hoa and Dave Tucciarone, producers
Song of the Year
“Uhiwai,” Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus)
Favorite Entertainer of the Year
Weldon Kekauoha
Graphics Award
B. Kanaiʻa Nakamura for “Haʻa,” Na Palapalai (Kuana Torres Kahele)
Liner Notes
Manu Boyd, Robert Cazimero and Shawn Livingston Moseley, “Mele ʻAilana: Manu Boyd Island Music,” Manu Boyd (Hui Waianuhea)
Haku Mele (Composer Award)
“Kakaʻako Kuʻu ʻAina Aloha,” Kaiponohea Hale, from “Ho’ola Lahui, Ho‘oulu Pae ‘Aina: Vibrant People, Thriving Lands,” various artists (Kamehameha Schools)
Hawaiian Language Performance
Manu Boyd, “Mele ʻAilana: Manu Boyd Island Music” (Hui Waianuhea)
Engineering Award
Wendell Ching and Kapena De Lima for “Shame On You,” Kimie (Kimie Miner)
International Album Recognition Award
“Noho Aloha,” Maikaʻiloa (no label)
Moe Keale “Aloha Is” Award for Community Service
Ku’uipo Kamukahi
Ki Ho’alu Foundation Legacy Award
Dennis Kamakahi
Maiki Aiu Steel Guitar Legacy Award
Jerry Byrd