STAR-BULLETIN / 2001 Sean Na'auao scored seven Na Hoku Hanohano nominations.

Keahiwai sweeps into the Hokus

Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominees

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By John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.com

Count Keahiwai as the hottest new act on the local music scene, by virtue of the nominations the duo received for the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts' 25th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

The group -- Mailani Makainai and Lei Melket -- is a contender in five categories, including Group of the Year and Album of the Year, as well as Most Promising Artists.

The other new act with multiple nominations is Cody Pueo Pata, a finalist in the Hawaiian Language Performance category, as well as for Most Promising Artist. His album also won a technical nomination for graphics.

Sean Na'auao's calculated gamble in simultaneously releasing Jawaiian and traditionalist Hawaiian albums got a double thumbs-up from the HARA members. Na'auao leads with a total of seven nominations over all, including Male Vocalist of the Year, Reggae Album of the Year for "Progressions," Hawaiian Album of the Year and Hawaiian Language Performance, both for "Holomua." (Na'auao's total includes one for his work as producer of "Still Pounding: The Best of Poi Pounder Records Volume 1," and two for songs composed by kumu hula Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett for "Holumua.")

Mana'o Company's comeback album, "Spread a Little Aloha," is the other obvious favorite, also with a total of seven nominations, including Group of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year. The total also includes a Song of the Year nomination for group's leader, Danny Kennedy, who wrote their new signature hit, "Aloha."

Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and her production team can celebrate six nominations for her "Pu'uhonua" album, while Jon de Mello and the late Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole received four for "Alone in IZ World." Willie K also received four nominations -- one for a song he co-wrote with Gilliom, and one each for three other projects.

It's possible that Gilliom will end up sharing another Hoku with Willie, the musical Svengali who directed her metamorphosis from pop vocalist to falsetto singer, and spent several years as her recording partner and off-stage love interest.

Fiji and Teresa Bright have four nominations each, while Darlene Ahuna, Ernie Cruz Jr. and Na Leo have three each. All are prior Hoku winners.

Based on the nominations, and considering the categories traditionally treated as most important by HARA's Board of Governors, this could be a big year for Jawaiian acts and for other artists who represent styles of mainstream American pop that have long been anathema to a large part of the membership. At the least, Jawaiian and pop-oriented acts have made a very strong showing in major categories.

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Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominees

Male Vocalist Of The Year
ERNIE CRUZ JR., "Portraits"
FIJI, "Transition"
WILLIE K, "Awihilima: Reflections"
ISRAEL KAMAKAWIWO'OLE, "Alone in IZ World"
SEAN NA'AUAO, "Holomua"

Female Vocalist Of The Year
DARLENE AHUNA, "Classic Hula from Darlene Ahuna"
TERESA BRIGHT, Lei Ana
AMY HANAIALI'I GILLIOM, "Pu'uhonua"
AZURE MCCALL, "Harlem Nocturne"
PAULINE WILSON, "Tribute"

Group Of The Year
KEAHIWAI, "Local Girls"
LIM FAMILY, "Na Mele No Na Hanauna"
MANA'O COMPANY, "Spread a Little Aloha"
NA LEO PILIMEHANA, "Christmas Gift 2"
VAIHI, "Vaihi"

Religious Album Of The Year
"ALL GOOD GIFTS," Mark N. Kuraya
"AS ONE," As One (New Hope Music Ministries)
"LOVING GOD, LOVING EACH OTHER," Taito Family (Taito Family)
"NA LEO O KE KULA NI'IHAU O KEHAKA," 'Aha Panana Leo ('Aha Panana Leo)
"NAHENAHE MAI NA KUPUNA," Soloman Kam, Eddie Torres & Tom Kini (New Hope Christian Fellowship)
"TRUST HIM," Jan Brenner (Star)

Rock Album of the Year
"FATE STEPPED IN," Chance Gardner (Manawa)
"LIVING IN A MOVIE," Gail Swanson (Rock Fever)
"NECTAR OF THE YOBS," Extra Stout (Hawaiian Express)
"NOISY DREAMS," Jim Hubbard (JVH)
"SHOWDOWN," Dave Seawater (Musically Sound)

Contemporary Album Of Year
"LIVE AT HAPA'S," Willie K (Maui Tribe)
"LOCAL GIRLS," Keahiwai (Island Groove)
"SPREAD A LITTLE ALOHA," Mana'o Company (Dan-Pa/A Guava Ding Thing)
"TRANSITION," Fiji (Ricochet)
"VAIHI," Vaihi (Puka Pants)

Reggae Album of the Year
"ENDLESS PARADISE," Soul Free (Score)
"HO'AIKANE LIVE: LAST SET," Ho'Aikane (Niho Mano)
"ON THE BEACH," Marty Dread (Five Corners)
"PROGRESSION," Sean Na'auao (Poi Pounder)
"THE PROMISED LAND," Butch Helemano & Players of Instruments (Eighth Wonder)

Jazz Album of the Year
"DREAMY," Loretta Ables Sayre (Portlock)
"HARLEM NOCTURNE," Azure McCall (Ala Moana)
"SHAKE THOSE HULA HIPS!" Big Kahuna & the Copa Cat Pack (Concord)
"TRIBUTE," Pauline Wilson (McClees)
"UKULELE DUO," Ohta-san & Lyle Ritz (M & H Hawai'i)

Christmas Album Of The Year
"CHRISTMAS GIFT 2," Na Leo Pilimehana (NLP Music)
"MAUI MERRY CHRISTMAS 2001," Don "Freehand" Kauli'a & the Maui All-Star Band (Manawa)
"A TARO PATCH CHRISTMAS," Ozzie Kotani & Steve Sano (Daniel Ho)

Most Promising Artist
KEAHIWAI, "Local Girls" (Island Groove)
CHINKY MAHOE, "Kalapawai Ku'u One Hanau" (Poki)
NAMAHANA, "You & Me" (Hobo House on the Hill)
NUEVA VIDA, "New Life" (Island Groove)
CODY PUEO PATA, "E Ho'i Na Wai" (Ululoa)
REIGN, "Reign" (Reign)

Compilation Album
Best performance of new material by a minimum of three artists. Awarded to producer.
"ALOHA FESTIVALS HAWAIIAN FALSETTO CONTEST WINNERS VOL. 2," Various Artists (Hula) Baba Alimoot, Steve Kramer, Donald P. "Flip" McDiarmid III, Frank Shaner and Randy Sugata, producers
"BIG ISLAND'S OWN," Various Artists (JAGS) Thomas K. Ching, producer
"HAWAI'I: BROTHER NOLAND PRESENTS ... NEW FACES ... NEW MUSIC ...," Various Artists (MGC) Brother Noland, producer
"LULLABY," Kohala and Friends (Palm) Charles Michael Brotman, producer
"PRIDE OF THE ISLANDS VOLUME 4," Various Artists (KCCN) Rob Onekea, producer
"TINY CD -- WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS," Various Artists (Score) Tiny Tadani and Dave Tucciarone, producers
"WA'AHILA," Various Artists (MPI Talent Communications) Le'a Kapi'olani Cabral and Kenneth Makuakane, producers

Anthology Of The Year
Best album of previously released material. Awarded to producer.
"ANTHOLOGY II," Na Leo Pilimehana (NLP Music) Na Leo Pilimehana and Kenneth Makuakane, producers
"NA PUA O HAWAI'I," Makaha Sons & Friends (Poki) Kata Maduli, producer
"STILL POUNDING: THE BEST OF POI POUNDER RECORDS VOLUME 1," Various Artists (Poi Pounder) Poi Pounder Records, producer
"TREASURE," Ho'okena (Ho'omau) Ho'omau Inc., producer
"THE UNCLE IN ME VOLUME 2," Willie K (Mountain Apple) Willie Kahaiali'i, producer

Instrumental Album
"HAWAIIAN STEEL VOL. 2," Bobby Ingano, Alan Akaka, Casey Olsen & Greg Sardinha (Keala)
"HOLIDAY FOR STRINGS," Ohta-san (M & H Hawai'i)
"IN THE SADDLE," Ledward Ka'apana & Bob Brozman (Dancing Cat)
"PANA ALOHA HAWAIIAN HEARTBEAT," Kapono Beamer (Kapono Beamer)
"PINEAPPLE MANGO," Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations)
"UKULELE DREAM," Herb Ohta Jr. (Roy Sakuma)

Island Contemporary Album
"CROSSROADS," Na 'iwi (Na 'iwi)
"GUAVA SOUL," Bla Pahinui (Mountain Apple)
"ISLAND BORN," Keola Beamer (Starscape Music)
"ONE HEART, ONE VOICE," David Kawika Kahiapo (Pono)
"PORTRAITS," Ernie Cruz Jr. (Pi'inalu Music)

Hawaiian Album Of The Year
"ALONE IN IZ WORLD," Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Big Boy)
"HOLOMUA, Sean Na'auao (Poi Pounder)
"LEI ANA," Teresa Bright (Pumehana)
"NA MELE NO NA HANAUNA," Lim Family (Kohala)
"PU'UHONUA," Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom (Hanaiali'i)

Single of the Year
"Aloha," Mana'o Company (Dan-Pa/A Guava Ding Thing)
"Aloha Ka Po'e Koa O Ni'ihau"/"Mai Lohilohi Mai Nei"/"Ka Makanai Ka'ili Aloha"/"'Alekoki," Nahale & Malaki Kanahele (Mountain Apple)
"Ehime Maru," Jake Shimabukuro (Four Strings)
"Hole Waimea 'Elua"/"Kawena," Kahauanu Lake Singers (Hula)
"Our Nation In Song," DisGuyz (Afterthought)

Song Of The Year
Composer's award
"ALOHA" by Danny Kennedy from "Spread a Little Aloha," Mana'o Company (Dan-Pa/A Guava Ding Thing)
"ALOHA KU'U HOME A I KE'ALOHI" by Frank Kawai Hewett from "Holomua," Sean Na'auao (Poi Pounder)
"ALOHA NA KALAKAUA" by Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, Lilikala Kame'eleihiwa and William Kahaiali'i from "Pu'uhonua," Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom (Hanaiali'i)
"EHIME MARU" by Jake Shimabukuro from the single "Ehime Maru," Jake Shimabukuro (Four Strings)
"OUR NATION IN SONG" by Jason Lent and Elan Markos from the single "Our Nation in Song," Dis Guyz (Afterthought)

Album Of The Year
Awarded to artist and producer.
"ALONE IN IZ WORLD," Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Big Boy) Jon de Mello, producer
"CLASSIC HULA FROM DARLENE AHUNA," Darlene Ahuna (Hula) Donald P. "Flip" McDiarmid III, Randy Sugata, J.J. and Darlene Ahuna, producers
"LOCAL GIRLS," Keahiwai (Island Groove) Aaron Kimura and Jon Yamasato, producers
"PU'UHONUA," Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom (Hanaiali'i) Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Kenneth Makuakane, producers
"SPREAD A LITTLE ALOHA," Mana'o Company (Dan-Pa/A Guava Ding Thing) Danny Kennedy, Dave Tucciarone and TMC, producers

Hawaiian Performance
Best performance in the Hawaiian language
'AHA PANANA LEO, "'Ina'i 'Elua" ('Aha Panana Leo)
AMY HANAIALI'I GILLIOM, "Pu'uhonua" (Hanaialiai)
NAHALE & MALAKI KANAHELE for the single "Aloha Ka Po'e Koa O Ni'ihau"/"Mai Lohilohi Mai Nei"/"Ka Makanai Ka'ili Aloha"/"'Alekoki" (Mountain Apple)
SEAN NA'AUAO, "Holomua" (Poi Pounder)
CODY PUEO PATA, "E Ho'i Na Wai" (Ululoa)

Haku Mele
For a new song or chant primarily in the Hawaiian language. Composer's award.
"ALOHA KU'U HOME A I KE 'ALOHI" by Frank Kawai Hewett from "Holomua," Sean Na'auao (Poi Pounder)
"KAHALAOPUNA" by Robbi Cabral, Manu Boyd and Kenneth Makuakane, from "Wa'ahila," Obrian Eselu (MPI Talent Communications)
"NANI IAPANA" by Dennis Kamakahi, from "Crossroads," Na'iwi (Na'iwi)
"NAU NA KU'U ALOHA" by Sean and Kau'i Na'auao from "Holomua," Sean Na'auao (Poi Pounder)
"PUA ONAONA," by Kala'iokona Ontai from "'Ina'i 'Elua," 'Aha Panana Leo ('Aha Panana Leo)

Favorite Entertainer
DARLENE AHUNA, "Classic Hula from Darlene Ahuna"
TERESA BRIGHT, "Lei Ana"
ERNIE CRUZ JR., "Portraits"
AMY HANAIALI'I GILLIOM, "Pu'uhonua"
HO'OKENA, "Treasure"
WILLIE K, "Awihilima: Reflections," "Live At Hapa's" & "The Uncle in Me Volume 2"
ISRAEL KAMAKAWIWO'OLE, "Alone in IZ World" (Big Boy)
KEAHIWAI, "Local Girls" (Island Groove)
MAKAHA SONS, "NA PUA O HAWAI'I"
MANA'O COMPANY, "Spread a Little Aloha" (Dan-Pa/A Guava Ding Thing)

Graphics
For album cover design.
BILL ERNST for "E Ho'i Na Wai," Cody Pueo Pata (Ululoa)
HIRASAKI NAKAGAWA DESIGN for "Pure Hawaiian," Various Artists (Quiet Storm)
SCOTT JOHNSON for "Living in a Movie," Gail Swanson (Rock Fever)
PRESTON TERADA for "Hawaiian Memories," Hawai'i Loa (Aloha First International)
RAYMOND YUEN for "Two Ti Leaf," Wayne Takamine ("Two Ti Leaf")

Engineering
MILAN BERTOSA, KIT EBERSBACH and MAX EBERSBACH for "Skinny Dip With Don Tiki," Don Tiki (Taboo)
KIT EBERSBACH for "Lei Ana," Teresa Bright (Pumehana)
TROY GONZALES for "Transition," Fiji (Richochet)
TOM HALL for "Living in a Movie," Gail Swanson (Rock Fever)
DAVE TUCCIARONE for "Spread a Little Aloha," Mana'o Company (Dan Pa/A Guava Ding Thing)

Liner Notes
JAY W. JUNKER for "Slack Key Lady," Cindy Combs (Dancing Cat)
BILLY ROSE for "Paradise Honolulu," Hawai'i Shochiku Orchestra (Hana Ola)
HARRY B. SORIA JR. for "Lovely Hula Hands," Various Artists (Hana Ola)
HARRY B. SORIA JR. for "Pau Hana Party," Various Artists (Hana Ola)
LEA A. UEHARA, "Kalapawai Ku'u One Hanau," Chinky Mahoe (Poki)

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