2008 NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARD NOMINEES
Awards ceremony will be held Tuesday, June 17 at The Hawai`i Convention CenterFor more information contact the Hawai`i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) office at 808-593–9424
For complete list of past Na Hoku Hanohano Award recipients, see archive page
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Best performance by a female artist
-- TERESA BRIGHT for Hawaiinawa
-- NAPUA GREIG for Pihana
-- AMY HANAIALI`I for A Hawaiian Christmas
-- RAIATEA HELM for Hawaiian Blossom
-- KU`UIPO KUMUKAHI for Na Lani `Eha
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Best performance by a male artist
-- NATHAN AWEAU for Kane`ohe
-- JOHN CRUZ for One of These Days
-- WELDON KEKAUOHA for Ka Lehua `Ula
-- KEALI`I REICHEL for Kukahi-Live in Concert (DVD)
-- HOKU ZUTTERMEISTER for `Aina Kupuna
GROUP OF THE YEAR
Best performance by a vocal duo or group
-- BAREFOOT NATIVES for Slack Key Circus
-- MATT CATINGUB ORCHESTRA OF HAWAI`I for Back to Romance
-- MAUNALUA for Ho`okanaka
-- SEAN NA`AUAO & ROBI KAHAKALAU for S & R
-- PILIOHA for Pilioha
MOST PROMISING ARTIST(S) Most promising first-recorded effort as featured artist or group
- -- NAPUA GREIG for Pihana
-- KAMAU for Live From the Lo`i
-- DARIN LEONG for Five Years and Many Miles
- -- PILIOHA for Pilioha
- -- HOKU ZUTTERMEISTER for `Aina Kupuna
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best CD release of the year. Award to local resident artist and producer
- -- `AINA KUPUNA by Hoku Zuttermeister; Dave Tucciarone & Hoku Zuttermeister, producers
- -- HAWAIIAN BLOSSOM by Raiatea Helm; Zachary Helm & Dave Tucciarone, producers
- -- NA LANI `EHA by Ku`uipo Kumukahi and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders; Dr. Isaac Akuna, Karen Aiu, Ku`uipo Kumukahi & Steve Kramer, producers
- -- PIHANA by Napua Greig; Dave Tucciarone, producer
- -- SLACK KEY CIRCUS by Barefoot Natives; Eric Gilliom, Willie Kahaiali`i & Brian Kohne, producers
ANTHOLOGY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best album of previously released material; award to resident producer
-- AUTHOR! AUTHOR! by Cordell Keith Haugen - Cordell Keith Haugen, producer
-- THE BEST OF EKOLU by Ekolu - Brett Fovargue & Lukela Keala, producers
-- BILL ALI`ILOA LINCOLN-HAWAII'S FALSETTO POET by Bill Ali`iloa Lincoln - Harry B. Soria, Jr., producer
-- ONE FEARLESS HAWAIIAN by Various Artists - Kwai-Chang Publico & Gavin Tanouye, producers
CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of music with a Christmas theme
- -- A HAWAIIAN CHRISTMAS by Amy Hanaiali`i
-- HOLIDAY HELL YEAH by Go Jimmy Go
-- SLACK KEY CHRISTMAS -- by Various Artists
-- SEASONS OF LOVE by Afatia
- A PASS OUT RECORDS CHRISTMAS by Abe Lagrimas
COMEDY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of comedy material
-- THE AUGIE SHOW SEASON ONE by Augie Tulba
-- HAWAI`I, I LOVE IT by Frank DeLima
- THE TIDE IS HIGH by Stephanie Sanchez
COMPILATION ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of newly released material by a minimum of 3 distinct artists; award to resident producer
-- ALOHA FESTIVALS FALSETTO CONTEST WINNNERS VOL 8 - by Various Artists - Baba Alimoot, Flip McDiarmid,
& Dr. Trey, producers
-- ALOHA SLACK KEY: A TRIBUTE TO GABBY PAHINUI - by Various Artists - Don McDiarmid & Flip McDiarmid, producers
-- HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR FESTIVALS VOL 2 - by Various Artists - Che Capili, Chris Lau, Milton Lau, Scott Lau & Kris Lee, producers
-- SONGS FROM HAWAI`I ISLAND - by Various Artists - Keoki Kahumoku, producer
-- TREASURES OF HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR - by Various Artists - Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku, Paul Konwiser & Wayne Wong, producers
CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of music in a contemporary style
- -- BACK TO ROMANCE by Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawai`i
-- BACK TO THE ISLANDS by Sonya Mendez
-- CALLING OUT by Mighty J
-- NO PLACE LIKE HOME by Manoa DNA
- -- ONE OF THESE DAYS by John Cruz
HAWAIIAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of Hawaiian music
- -- `AINA KUPUNA by Hoku Zuttermeister
- -- HAWAIIAN BLOSSOM by Raiatea Helm
- -- HO`OKANAKA by Maunalua
- -- KANE`OHE by Nathan Aweau
- -- PIHANA by Napua Greig
INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best instrumental performance
- -- FIVE YEARS AND MANY MILES by Darin Leong
-- HULA GIRLS-ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK by Jake Shimabukuro
-- PURE SLACK KEY by Jeff Peterson
-- STRANGER HERE by Bobby Ingano
-- SUNNY RAIN GUITAR SOLOS by Cindy Combs
ISLAND MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of music of Hawai`i in a contemporary style
-- HE`EIA by Cyril Pahinui
- -- LIVE FROM THE LO`I by Kamau
- -- S & R by Sean Na`auao & Robi Kahakalau
- -- SLACK KEY CIRCUS by Barefoot Natives
-- WONDERFUL WORLD by Israel Kamakawiwo`ole
JAZZ ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of music in a jazz style
- FOR ALL WE KNOW by Joy Abbott & Betty Lou Taylor
- JOY RIDE by Lou Ann Gurney
- SHINE by Angela Crandall
R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of music in R&B or Hip-Hop style
-- AT YOUR DOOR by Nomasterbacks
-- THE KAMA`AINA CLASSIC by I.A.
-- NAHA STONE by King Kekai
-- ILL VALLEY by Hoku Haiku
- MORE THAN JUST A SONG by Nigel Kauanui
REGGAE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of music in a reggae style
-- FROM THE HEART by Natural Vibrations
-- 1 REBEL by O-shen
-- OP VI by Opihi Pickers
-- SAY WHAT YOU'RE THINKING by Katchafire
-- SLOW BURNING by Katchafire
RELIGIOUS ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of religious material
-- TAKE MY HAND by Kristian Lei
- I AM YOURS by Koa
- L.I.F.E. by Tiffany Thurston
- REDEEMED by Gary Haleamau
- THANKFUL by Jon Almosara
ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Best performance of music in a rock style
-- WHERE YOU ARE by Koa
- IRISHMAN IN PARADISE by Doolin' Rakes
- MAKE WAY FOR PROGRESS by The Golf Cart Rebellion
- MAXIMUM STOMPERS by Max Murdoch & the Northern Soul Project
- TAKE A CHANCE AND LET THE MUSIC PLAY by 82Fifty
SONG OF THE YEAR
Best achievement in creating a first-time recorded song; award to resident composer
- -- "Ka Lehua `Ula" by Weldon Kekauoha from KA LEHUA `ULA (Weldon Kekauoha)
- -- "Kane`ohe" by Nathan Aweau from KANE`OHE (Nathan Aweau)
- -- "Ke Aloha A`u E Hali`a Nei" by Eric Gilliom & Willie Kahaiali`i from SLACK KEY CIRCUS (Barefoot Natives)
- -- "Lawakua" by Napua Greig & Kihei Nahale-a from PIHANA (Napua Greig)
- -- "Ola`a Beauty" by Frank Kawai Hewett from `AINA KUPUNA (Hoku Zuttermeister)
HAKU MELE AWARD
Best new Hawaiian language composition
- -- "He Mele No Kaua`i Kuapapa" by Ipolani Vaughan -- KA LEHUA `ULA (Weldon Kekauoha)
-- "Ka Lehua A`o Waimea" by D.Pono Murray -- HE ALOHA... (Cody Pueo Pata)
- -- "Lei Ho`oheno" by Kainani Kahaunaele -- KA LEHUA `ULA (Weldon Kekauoha)
- -- "Mili`opua" by Cody Pueo Pata -- HE ALOHA... (Cody Pueo Pata)
- -- "Ola`a Beauty" by Frank Kawai Hewett -- AINA KUPUNA (Hoku Zuttermeister)
HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Best performance in the Hawaiian language
-- HI`IAKA I KA POLI O PELE by Halau O Kekuhi
- -- KA LEHUA `ULA by Weldon Kekauoha
- -- NA LANI `EHA by Ku`uipo Kumukahi
- -- HE ALOHA... by Cody Pueo Pata
- -- KUKAHI-LIVE IN CONCERT (DVD) by Keali`i Reichel
- -- AINA KUPUNA by Hoku Zuttermeister
MUSIC VIDEO/DVD OF THE YEAR
Best performance of music and video on a DVD (minimum 75% musical performance)
-- KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS 2007 SONG CONTEST by Kamehameha Schools
- -- KUKAHI-LIVE IN CONCERT (DVD) by Keali`i Reichel
-- ROMANTIC WAIKIKI FEATURING THE HIRAM OLSEN TRIO by Kanoe Miller
-- TO THE WORLD FROM EKOLU by Ekolu
- HAWAI`I KIDS CALABASH by Leon & Malia
ENGINEERING
Best achievement in engineering
- -- Milan Bertosa & Nick Fournier for SLACK KEY CIRCUS by Barefoot Natives
- -- Dave Tucciarone for PIHANA by Napua Greig
- -- Dave Tucciarone for HAWAIIAN BLOSSOM by Raiatea Helm
- Milan Bertosa for TAKE A CHANCE AND LET THE MUSIC PLAY by 82Fifty
- Charles Michael Brotman & Gregg Perry for TWO GUITARS, ONE HEART by John Bellar and Ron Nielsen
GRAPHICS
Best achievement in album cover design
- -- John Gruhler, Les Honda, Kawika Kahele & Sharlene Oshiro for KANE`OHE by Nathan Aweau
- -- Jon de Mello & Keith Usher for WONDERFUL WORLD by Israel Kamakawiwo`ole
- -- Stacey Leong Design for NA LANI `EHA by Ku`uipo Kumukahi
-- Yuko Porter for `UKULELE JOURNEY by Herb Ohta, Jr.
- -- B. Kanai`a Nakamura for `AINA KUPUNA by Hoku Zuttermeister
LINER NOTES
Best achievement in album annotation
-- Burton White for NA HULA PUNAHELE by Tony Conjugacion
- -- Kimo Alama Keaulana, R. Keawe Lopes, Jr., and Harry B. Soria, Jr. for HAWAII'S FALSETTO POET by Bill Ali`iloa Lincoln
- -- -Carla Kawakami for NO PLACE LIKE HOME by Manoa DNA
- -- Cindy A. Lance & Lynn Makalani Oakley for ALOHA SLACK KEY-A TRIBUTE TO GABBY PAHINUI by Various Artists
- -- Robert Uluwehi Cazimero for `AINA KUPUNA by Hoku Zuttermeister
FAVORITE ENTERTAINER
Voted by the public, state-wide
- -- NATHAN AWEAU for Kane`ohe
- -- BAREFOOT NATIVES for Slack Key Circus
- -- TERESA BRIGHT for Hawaiinawa
- -- JOHN CRUZ for One of These Days
- -- NAPUA GREIG for Pihana
- -- AMY HANAIALI`I for A Hawaiian Christmas
- -- RAIATEA HELM for Hawaiian Blossom
- -- WELDON KEKAUOHA for Ka Lehua `Ula
- -- MAUNALUA for Ho`okanaka
- -- HOKU ZUTTERMEISTER for `Aina Kupuna
NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARDS ARCHIVE (1978-2008)
Hawai`i Academy of Recording Arts
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