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.