THE 35TH ANNUAL NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARDS
THE HAWAII ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS (HARA) ANNOUNCES THE FINAL BALLOT FOR THE 35TH ANNUAL NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARDS, THE CULMINATING EVENT OF MELE MEI 2012

The Na Hoku Hanohano Awards Dinner & Live Broadcast will be held May 27th at the Hawaii Convention Center’s Kalakaua Ballroom. Tickets are now on sale through HARA.

Honolulu, HI – The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (“HARA”) has announced the Final Ballot Nominees for the 35th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, per below. There are 27 categories, including Technical and Adjudicated categories, as well as a brand new category, International Album of the Year, with artists from Japan and Korea among the finalists.

35TH ANNUAL NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARDS FINALISTS

Most Promising Artist of the Year
ABRIGO OHANA, Ekahi (Abrigo Ohana)
KAINALU, Kainalu (Mellowsoul)
STARR KALAHIKI, Salt (Kipuka)
KAWENA, Salty Kisses (Kawena Mechler)
JOHN IOANE KEANAAINA, JR., Na Mele O Ioane Keanaaina (no label)
JOSH TATOFI, This Love (Waiehu)

Female Vocalist of the Year
NATALIE AI KAMAUU, A (Keko)
RAIATEA HELM, Sea of Love (Raiatea Helm)
STARR KALAHIKI, Salt (Kipuka)
LEHUA KALIMA, Rising in Love (Kalima)
MAILANI MAKAINAI, Aina (Mountain Apple)

EP (“Extended Play“ Release) of the Year
CHRISTMAS FROM HAWAII, Fran Kalb and Glenda Delenstarr (Rising Star)
HOLIDAYS IN HULAVILLE VOLUME 1, Hot Club of Hulaville (Hulaville)
INTIRE PROJECT, THE, The Intire Project (Aumakua)
NA MELE O IOANE KEANAAINA, John Ioane Keanaaina, Jr. (no label)
SALTY KISSES, Kawena (Kawena Mechler)

Religious Album of the Year
CHUCKY BOY CHOCK AND FRIENDS, Chucky Boy Chock (New Song Music)
LITTLE PRAYER, Dennis and Christy Soares (Elation)
NOW IS THE TIME – LIVE WORSHIP FROM HOPE CHAPEL WEST OAHU, Hope Chapel West Oahu (Hope Music)
SENT, THE, Kamalei Mark Teves (no label)

Group of the Year
EKOLU, Simply for Love (Waiehu)
HIIKUA, Aia I Hiialo (Kanemakua)
DENNIS KAMAKAHI & STEPHEN INGLIS, Waimaka Helelei (Aumakua)
NUFF SEDD, Life…In a Song (Goofyfoot)
WAIPUNA, E Hoi Mai (Poki)

Hip Hop Album of the Year
DROWN ‘EM IN BEATS – SAVE ‘EM WITH RHYMES, Nocturnal Sound Crew & Slapp Symphony (Slapp Symphony)
ILLNOMADIC, Navid Najafi (Aumakua)
NOW! SERVING FAMILY DINNER – A SPORKFUL OF FUNK!!!, Family Dinner Band (Pass Out)
REFLECTIONS, Tripple Los (Gotthos)

Compilation Album of the Year
HAWAIIAN CHRISTMAS, A, Various Artists (HCUCC) Kenneth Makuakane, Jon Brekke, Charles Buck, Lisa Doud, Jeff Orig, and Tasha Tavares-Makuakane – producers
HOALA IAPANA, Various Artists (no label) Dave Tucciarone - Producer
ISLAND STYLE UKULELE, Various Artists (Neos) Bob St. John and Pati St. John - Producers
REBUILDING - YOU GOTTA START SOMEWHERE, Various Artists (Voyager) Kenneth Makuakane – Producer
SOUL SEARCHING – WORLDWIDE COMPOSERS VOL.2, Dennis Soares (Elation) Dennis Soares – Producer
Single of the Year
AINAHAU, Waipuna (Poki)
AMAZING GRACE, Jake Shimabukuro (Hitchhike)
HIDEAWAY, Kapena (featuring Kalena Ku) (KDE)
I FOUND MY LOVE IN WAIKIKI, Brad Kawakami (Lele)
WALK AWAY, Bruddah Waltah (Rubbah Slippah)

Male Vocalist of the Year
ROBERT CAZIMERO, Hula (Mountain Apple)
SHAWN ISHIMOTO, John Valentine Presents Shawn My Kine of Music V.3 (Studio Valentine)
WILLIE K, Warehouse Blues (Maui Tribe)
KUANA TORRES KAHELE, Kaunaloa (Kuana Torres Kahele)
HENRY KAPONO, Henry (Kapono)

Anthology Album of the Year
ISLAND IN YOUR EYES, Various Artists (Mountain Apple) Jon de Mello - Producer
JOURNEY OF LIGHT…THE EARLY YEARS, Leiohu Ryder (Ululoa) Leiohu Ryder and Jake Rohrer – Producers
KEKUMUWAI, Pandanus Club (Makuakane) Kenneth Makuakane, Chris Keliiaa, and Tash Tavares-Makuakane - Producers
LIVE A LITTLE…HAWAIIAN STYLE Vol. 2, Various Artists (Mountain Apple) Jon de Mello – Producer
TROPICS, Henry Kapono (Kapono) Henry Kapono and Lezlee Kaaihue – Producers
Instrumental Album of the Year
HAWAIIAN AT HEART – UNIQUE UKULELE ARTISTRY, Harold Uchino (He-U)
MYSTICAL SOUL, Dennis Soares (Elation)
OPEN TUNING IMPROVISATIONS, Dennis Soares (Elation)
PEACE LOVE UKULELE, Jake Shimabukuro (Hitchhike)
REJECTS FROM THE SOUNDTRACK OF MY IMAGINARY MOVIE, David Kauahikaua (Tiki)
UKULELE ISLAND, Kenneth Makuakane (Makuakane)

Slack Key Album of the Year
IN MY HEART – HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR & UKULELE INSTRUMENTALS, Doug and Sandy McMaster (Aloha Plenty)
KAMAALUA, Patrick Landeza (Addison Street)
NA LANI O MAUI – MAUI SKIES, TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR, James Kimo West (Westernmost)
WAIMAKA HELELEI, Dennis Kamakahi and Stephen Inglis (Aumakua)
WAO AKUA (THE FOREST OF THE GODS) HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR INSTRUMENTALS, George Kahumoku, Jr. (Daniel Ho)

Island Music Album of the Year
E HOI MAI, Waipuna (Poki)
EKAHI, Abrigo Ohana (Abrigo Ohana)
MYSTICAL MOLOKAI, Eddie Akio Waimakanui Tanaka, Jr. (Mystical Molokai)
NO KUUIPO, Ahumanu (Ululoa)
SEA OF LOVE, Raiatea Helm (Raiatea Helm)

Jazz Album of the Year
SALT, Starr Kalihiki (Kipuka)
SENTIMENTAL SWING – VIOLIN, Duane Padilla (no label)
TONE COLORS, Les Peetz, Dean Taba, and Noel Okimoto (OK No Name)
UKULELE JAZZ LIVE IN CONCERT HILO, HAWAII, Benny Chong (no label)
WE GO TO HILO, Glen Goto and Friends (Sweet Brown Pitbull)

Contemporary Album of the Year
CONTAGIOUS, Kanohowailuku Helm (Anahaki)
HENRY, Henry Kapono (Kapono)
KAINALU, Kainalu (Mellowsound)
MY JOURNEY, LT Smooth (Rhythm and Roots)
RISING IN LOVE, Lehua Kalima (Kalima)

Reggae Album of the Year
FEELING GOOD, Micah G (HI Finest)
GOT THIS MUSIC, Natural Vibrations (GO Aloha)
LOVE TOWN, Kolohe Kai (GO Aloha)
SIMPLY FOR LOVE, Ekolu (Waiehu)
WAYS & MEANS, The Green (Easy Star)

Hawaiian Album of the Year
A, Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko)
AIA I HIIALO, Hiikua (Kanemakua)
AINA, Mailani Makainai (Mountain Apple)
HULA, Robert Cazimero (Mountain Apple)
KAUNALOA, Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele)

Rock Album of the Year
DEEP WATER, Allan Thomas (Black Bamboo)
INVENT, Sing the Body (Aumakua)
LEGS OF OUR OWN, The Throwdowns (The Throwdowns)
PIMPBOT, Pimpbot (Pass Out)
WAREHOUSE BLUES, Willie K (Maui Tribe)

Album of the Year
A, Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko) Dave Tucciarone, Iolani Kamauu and Natalie Ai Kamauu - Producers
AINA, Mailani Makainai (Mountain Apple) Dr. Trey and Jon de Mello - Producers
E HOI MAI, Waipuna (Poki) Kale Chang and Waipuna - Producers
HULA, Robert Cazimero (Mountain Apple) Jon de Mello and Robert Cazimero - Producers
KAUNALOA, Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele) Kuana Torres Kahele and Dave Tucciarone – Producers

Song of the Year
E IKE I KA NANI AO POLIAHU by Kawaikapuokalani Hewett from E HOI MAI, Waipuna (Poki)
KUU PUA PAKALANA by Natalie Ai Kamauu from A, Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko)
NA VACQUEROS by Kuana Torres Kahele from KAUNALOA, Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele)
NAU HOOKAHI by Robert Cazimero from HULA, Robert Cazimero (Mountain Apple)
RISING IN LOVE by Lehua Kalima from RISING IN LOVE, Lehua Kalima (Kalima)

Favorite Entertainer of the Year
ROBERT CAZIMERO
RAIATEA HELM
HI`IKUA
WIILIE K
KUANA TORRES KAHELE
LEHUA KALIMA
NATALIE AI KAMAUU
MAILANI MAKAINAI
JAKE SHIMABUKURO
WAIPUNA


2012 TECHNICAL FINALISTS

Graphics Award
JON de MELLO AND ROBERT CAZIMERO, for HULA, Robert Cazimero (Mountain Apple)
JON de MELLO AND KEITH USHER, for AINA, Mailani Makainai (Mountain Apple
NEAL IZUMI, KAUILA BARBER, AND ESTHER SADA, for SALT, Starr Kalahiki (Kipuka)
GRANT MIYASAKI, for SEA OF LOVE, Raiatea Helm (Raiatea Helm)
KUHAO ZANE AND KAMELE ESKARAN, for KAUNALOA, Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele)

Liner Notes Award
ROBERT CAZIMERO, for HULA, Robert Cazimero (Mountain Apple)
KAMA HOPKINS, for AIA I HIIALO, Hiikua (Kanemakua)
KUANA TORRES KAHELE, for KAUNALOA, Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele)
STEPHEN INGLIS, for WAIMAKA HELELEI, Dennis Kamakahi and Stephen Inglis (Aumakua)
NEIL J. HANNAHS, for E HOI MAI, Waipuna (Poki)


2012 ADJUDICATED FINALISTS
Note: Each of these categories is voted on by a separate panel of judges.

Haku Mele
KUONOONO, by Puakea Nogelmeier from E HOI MAI, Waipuna (Poki)
KUU HOA HIIKUA, by Kalehua Krug from AIA I HI`IALO, Hiikua (Kanemakua)
WAIKAHULI, by Kuana Torres Kahele from KAUNALOA, Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele)
WAIMAKA HELELEI, by Rev. Dennis Kamakahi from WAIMAKA HELELEI (Aumakua)
WAIMANU I KA LAUOHA, by Kuana Torres Kahele from KAUNALOA, Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele)

Hawaiian Language Performance
ROBERT CAZIMERO, Hula (Mountain Apple)
HI`IKUA, Aia I Hiialo (Kanemakua)
KUANA TORRES KAHELE, Kaunaloa (Kuana Torres Kahele)
NATALIE AI KAMAUU, A (Keko)
WAIPUNA, E Hoi Mai (Poki)

Engineering Award
WENDELL CHING for Lover’s Race (Afflatus)
WENDELL CHING, BRAD WATANABE, AND JP KENNEDY for Self Titled, Hot Rain (Afflatus)
JEFF GAETH for Shoestrings, Jeff Gaeth (Puna)
MATTHEW HONDA, TATSUYA SATO, AND JAY FRANCO for Drown ‘Em in Beats – Save ‘em with Rhymes, Nocturnal Sound Krew & Slapp Symphony (Slapp Symphony)
SHAWN PIMENTAL AND MICHAEL GRANDE for Rising in Love, Lehua Kalima (Kalima)

International Album of the Year – NEW CATEGORY
HAWAIIAN MUSIC FOR HULA, Kapalili (Studio 273)
KA PILINA, Park Sang Eon (Gois, Inc.)
KAYO HULA, VOL. 2, ASIAN MELE HULA, Various Artists (Maunaloa)
MY SWEET LEI, Na Lei (Amane)
OHANA, Kaulana (Kaulana)

The 35th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards will be held on Sunday, May 27, 2012, in the Kalakaua Ballroom at the Hawaii Convention Center. It is sponsored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and other partners, and will be telecast live on KFVE.
Event Date & Time
Sunday, May 27, 2012
5:00pm - 10:00pm
Event Image
Event Location
HAWAII CONVENTION CENTER, KALAKAUA BALLROOM
1801 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96814
Island: Oahu
Event Cost
Charge
Tickets are $150 General Admission, $135 Kamaaina, and $125 for HARA members. For tickets, please contact (808) 593-9424, or purchase online at http://www.nahokumusicfestival.com/eventinfo.htm.
Event Parking
Parking Details: VALIDATED $5
Location: HAWAII CONVENTION CENTER, ENTER FROM KALAKAUA
Event Catagory
Categories: Live Music
Cultural / Ethnic
Visitor Attraction

Schedule / Additional Info:
ABOUT NA HOKU HANOHANO MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sponsored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) and other partners, this music festival offers the public a unique chance to experience a rich cultural interchange, making the connections between music, our culture, and the spirit of aloha, through interesting and unique workshops, demonstrations, performances and exhibitions. For event and registration information, please go to www.nahokumusicfestival.com, call (808) 593-9424 or email info@nahokumusicfestival.com.

DATE EVENT LOCATION
Friday, April 27 Public Opening Event & Media Day The Willows
Saturday, May 5 Lifetime Achievement Awards Ala Moana Hotel
Friday, May 25 Workshops, Day 1 Hawaii Convention Center
Saturday, May 26 Workshops, Day 2 Hawaii Convention Center
Sunday, May 27 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards Hawaii Convention Center

ABOUT MELE MEI
Started in May 2011, Mele Mei is a month-long celebration of the unique music of Hawaii. It encompasses workshops, concerts, award ceremonies, and even a Guinness World Record attempt, and culminates with the Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival and 35th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. The 2012 Mele Mei events will be held throughout Waikiki at various hotels, on the beach, at restaurants, the Hawaii Convention Center, and other venues. For more information, please visit www.melemei.com.

Contact Information:
Promoter: IKAIKA Communications
Name: Bryson
Phone: (808) 593-9424
Alternate Phone: (808) 218-5546
Email: info@nahokumusicfestival.com.
Website: http://www.www.nahokumusicfestival.com
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