The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts recently released winners of the 2016 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards held Saturday, May 28, in Honolulu.
The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts recently released winners of the 2016 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards held Saturday, May 28, in Honolulu.
Female Vocalist of the Year (best performance by a female artist): Natalie Ai Kamauu, “La La La La.”
Group of the Year (best performance by a vocal duo or group): Maunalua, “He Inoa.”
Male Vocalist of the Year (best performance by a male artist): Jimmy Borges, “Jimmy Borges.”
Most Promising Artist of the Year (most promising first-recorded effort as a featured artist or group): Blayne Asing, “Young, Old Soul.”
Single of the Year Best-recorded (performance of a song released as a single in either physical (CD) or digital format): “Shower Tree,” Natalie Ai Kamauu.
EP (“Extended Play”) of the Year Best Extended Play (release, between three and eight songs) of newly released material): “We Ride,” The Rough Riders.
Album of the Year (best album release of the year): Jimmy Borges, “Jimmy Borges.”
Song of the Year (best achievement in creating a first-time recorded song): “Aina Hanau” by Nathan Aweau from Aina Hanau.
Instrumental Composition (Composer’s award) (best Achievement in creating a first-time recorded instrumental composition): “Old Pali,” by Jeff Peterson from “Oahu.”
Favorite Entertainer of the Year (best performance by an artist or group): Jimmy Borges.
Alternative Album of the Year (best performance of alternative music): “Beyond Paradise,” Streetlight Cadence.
Anthology of the Year (Producer’s Award) (best album of previously released material): 30, Kapena (KDE), Kapena De Lima, producer.
Christmas Album of the Year (best performance in a Christmas theme): “Gift of the Heart,” Mark Yamanaka and Kupaoa.
Comedy Album or Comedy DVD of the Year (best comedy performance released on album or DVD): “Electric Island,” Kepa Kruse.
Compilation Album of the Year Producer’s award (best performance of newly released material by a minimum of three distinct artists. Award to local producer(s)): Aloha Ia Noo Maui, Institute of Hawaiian Music (no label) Keola Donaghy, producer.
Contemporary Album of the Year (best performance in a contemporary style): “Kimie Miner,” Kimie Miner.
Hawaiian Music Album of the Year (best performance of Hawaiian music): “Ahuwale,” Chad Takatsugi.
Instrumental Album of the Year (best instrumental performance): “Pacific Harp Project,” Pacific Harp Project.
Island Music Album of the Year (best contemporary performance of music of or about Hawaii): “Aina Hanau,” Nathan Aweau.
Jazz Album of the Year (best jazz performance): “Jimmy Borges,” Jimmy Borges.
Music DVD of the Year (best performance of music and video on a DVD): “Brother for the People,” official music video, Taz Vegas.
R&B Album of the Year (best performance of music in an R&B style): “Life from Kauai,” Taj Mahal &The Hula Blues Band.
Religious Album of the Year (best performance of religious material): “Greater Together,” New Hope Oahu.
Rock Album of the Year (best performance of music in a rock style): “Endangered Species,” Stuart Hollinger.
Slack Key Album of the Year (best performance of slack key or vocals with slack key accompaniment): “Oahu,” Jeff Peterson.
Ukulele Album of the Year (best ukulele performance): “Ukulele Friends,” Bryan Tolentino and Herb Ohta Jr.
Graphics Award (best total album packaging): B. Kanaia Nakamura for “He Inoa” by Maunalua.
Liner Notes Award (best liner notes): Chad Takatsugi and Keawe Lopes, for “Ahuwale” by Takatsugi.
Hawaiian Category (best technical achievement in a sound recording and mix-down for recording of Hawaiian music styles): Dave Tucciarone, for “La La La La” by Natalie Ai Kamauu.
General Category (best technical achievement in a sound recording and mix-down for all other genre recordings): Pierre Grill, for “Never Before” by Lou Armagno.
Haku Mele Award (Composer’s Award) (best first-released song or chant primarily in the Hawaiian language): “He Wehi No Pauahi” by Kahikina De Silva and Chad Takatsugi, for “Ahuwale.”
Hawaiian Language Performance (Artist Award) (best performance in the Hawaiian language): Chad Takatsugi, for “Ahuwale.”
International Album (Special Recognition Award restricted to non-U.S. artists): “Ukulele Splash,” Ryo Natoyama.