4 lead the way
in Hoku picks

Raiatea Helm, 'Ale'a, Na Palapalai
and Hulu Lindsey top the list

The nominees

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By John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.com

The final ballot is out, and a crop of newer artists are poised to win big in 2003 as the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts announces the finalists in the 26th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

Traditionalists dominate almost everywhere except the genre categories. The first releases by Raiatea Helm and Na Palapalai and the second CDs by Hulu Lindsey and previous Hoku award-winning 'Ale'a each received six nominations.

Hawaiian female falsetto sensation Helm was named "Female Vocalist of the Year" at Johnny Kai's 6th Annual Hawai'i Music Awards earlier this month. Helm and her debut album, "Far Away Heaven," are up for Hoku honors in the Most Promising Artist(s), Album of the Year, Hawaiian Album of the Year, and Graphics. She's also one of 12 finalists in the publicly voted Favorite Entertainer of the Year.

Previous Hoku-winners 'Ale'a won nominations for "Origins / Kinohi" including Group of the Year, Island Contemporary Album and Favorite Entertainer. Na Palapalai and Maui-based vocalist Hulu Lindsey also have six nominations each.

Jawaiian and other non-Hawaiian styles are almost nonexistent in major categories. Ilona Irvine is the sole "island" artist in the "Female Vocalist" category, Kalapana is the only representative of pop music in the "Group" category, and Danny Couch is as pop as it gets in "Male Vocalist."

The "Reggae" category, the catch-all slot for reggae and Jawaiian/island music acts, has one of the most interesting match-ups with innovators B.E.T., Chief Ragga, and O-Shen, up for the honor, along with Three Plus and Typical Hawaiians.

Several genre categories barely have enough titles to be on the ballot at all, and rumor is that the "Single of the Year" category may be in danger of being eliminated.

Tthe winners will be announced May 28 at the Sheraton-Waikiki. The event will start at 5:30 p.m., with live TV coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. on KFVE. For information, call 235-9424.

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The nominees

Here is the list of this year's Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts' finalists in the 26th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Winners will be announced May 28 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel:

Female Vocalist of the Year

>> Raiatea Helm, "Far Away Heaven" (Rip Tide)
>> Ilona Irvine, "Keep It Comin' " (Hobo House On The Hill)
>> Kekuhi Kanahele, "Honey-Boy" (Mountain Apple Co.)
>> Hulu Lindsey, "Ho'anapau" (Kahulu)
>> Owana Salazar, "Wahine Slack N' Steel" (Moonbow)

Male Vocalist of the Year

>> Nathan Aweau, "E Apo Mai" (B.P. Music Arts)
>> Kawai Cockett, "Still Strumming!" (Hula)
>> Tony Conjugacion, "Tony C. Sings -- Na Hulu Welo" (Family Treasures) (MGC)
>> Danny Couch, "Something To Remember" (Danny Couch)
>> Sean Na'auao, "A Kanaka Christmas" (Poi Pounder)

Group

>> 'Ale'a, "Origins / Kinohi" (Poki)
>> Kalapana, "Blue Album" (OceanBeat)
>> Kahauanu Lake Singers, "Na Mele 'Auhau (Songs Of Tribute)" (Hula)
>> Na Leo Pilimehana, "Hawaiian Memories" (NLP Music)
>> Na Palapalai, "Makani 'Olu'olu" (Koops 2)

Single

>> "Aloha," Mana'o Company & Friends (Dan Pa)
>> "Give Aloha," Various Artists (Synergy Hawaii Day)
>> "Hana Hou," Anelaikalani (Paradise)
>> "He Mele No Ku'u Tutu," Hulu Lindsey (Kahulu)
>> "Rock The Boat / Sweetly / Happy Jam," Tino & The Rhythm Klub (Shaka)

Contemporary Album

>> "Believe," Believe (Hobo House on the Hill)
>> "Coolest Drop of Rain," Daniel Ho (Daniel Ho Creations)
>> "Island Feeling Part II," Ten Feet (Mass Appeal)
>> "Satisfied," Keahiwai (Island Groove)
>> "Something to Remember," Danny Couch (Danny Couch)

Reggae Album

>> "B.E.T. Volume 3," B.E.T. (Galmiche)
>> "Chief Ragga" Chief Ragga (Hobo House On The Hill)
>> "For You," Three Plus (Koops 2)
>> "Keep It Together," Typical Hawaiians (Cinnamon Red)
>> "Rascal in Paradise," O-Shen (Hobo House On The Hill)

Comedy Album

>> "Half Nuts," Jeff Kino (My Son Jaren)
>> "Johnny Sweetbread ... The Lost Tapes," Johnny Sweetbread (RHM)
>> "Locally Disturbed," Augie Tulba (KDE)

Jazz Album

>> "Hot Gypsy Nights," Tom Conway (Tomcat Music)
>> "Rust on the Moon," I. Mihana (I M Recordings)
>> "Watch What Happens," Benoit JazzWorks (self-released)

Most Promising Artist(s)

>> Pekelo Day, "Mai Na Kapuna Mai" (Ululoa)
>> Raiatea Helm, "Far Away Heaven" (Rip Tide)
>> Kahala Moon, "Collage" (Keala)
>> Pali, "Pali" (P & K)
>> Kawika Regidor, "The First Time" (Wind Wave)

Compilation Album

>> "Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Contest Winners III" (Hula)
>> "Big Island's Own Hana Hou!" (J.A.G.S.)
>> "Hawaii Sings for the Children" (Friends of Foster Kids)
>> "Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival -- Vol. 1" (Rhythm & Roots)
>> "Tiny CD 2" (Score)

Anthology

>> "Best of Flyin' Hawaiian Vol. 3," Various artists (Flyin' Hawaiian)
>> "Don McDiarmid, Jr. Presents Hula Records' Hits," Various artists (Hula)
>> "A Gallery," Teresa Bright (Pumehana)
>> "Hawaiian Style 2," Various artists (NEOS)
>> "With Aloha from Hawai'i," Various artists (United)

Instrumental

>> "Aloha Kaikua'ana," John Keawe (Homestead)
>> "Instrumental Peace," Barry Flanagan (Finn)
>> "Soliloquy - Ka Leo O Loko," Keola Beamer (Dancing Cat)
>> "Sunday Morning," Jake Shimabukuro (Four Strings)
>> "To Honor a Queen," Ozzie Kotani (Dancing Cat)

Christmas Album

>> "A Father -- Daughter Christmas," Stardancer (Golden Boy Music)
>> "A Kanaka Christmas," Sean Na'auao (Poi Pounder)
>> "Instrumental Christmas Classics," Jack de Mello (Mountain Apple Co.)

Religious Album

>> "God Is In Control," Randy & Gay Hongo (Christian Vision)
>> "Journal," Trisha Nakamoto (New Hope Pearl Community)
>> "Pure Paradise," Un 2 One (Reign Music)
>> "Songs of Praise," Randy, Gay & Andrew Hongo (Christian Vision)
>> "Still Waters Run Deep," Mark Matthews (Tradewind Ministries)

Rock Album

>> "At Random," Johnny Helm (Johnny Helm)
>> "Blue Album," Kalapana (OceanBeat)
>> "Eddie Would Go," Dan-O (Stink Eye)
>> "Soul Arrival," Go Jimmy Go (Moonroom)
>> "That Moon," Dave Seawater (Musically Sound)

Island Contemporary Album

>> "Halau Hula Olana," Halau Hula Olana (Hula)
>> "Koi Au," Makana (Makana Music)
>> "Origins / Kinohi," 'Ale'a (Poki)
>> "Pali," Pali (P & K)
>> "Wahine Slack 'n Steel," Owana Salazar (Moonbow)

Hawaiian Album

>> "Far Away Heaven," Raiatea Helm (Rip Tide)
>> "Hawaiian Memories," Na Leo Pilimehana (NLP Music)
>> "Honey-Boy," Kekuhi Kanahele (Mountain Apple Co.)
>> "Makani 'Olu'olu, Na Palapalai (Koops 2)
>> "Still Strumming," Kawai Cockett

(Hula) Song

>> "E Apo Mai" by Nathan Aweau, from "E Apo Mai," Nathan Aweau (B.P. Music Arts)
>> "He Mele No Ku'u Tutu" by Napua Greig from "Ho'anapau," Hulu Lindsey (Kahulu)
>> "Nani O Waianae" by Kenneth Makuakane from "Hawaiian Memories," Na Leo Pilimehana (NLP Music)
>> "Nani Waimea I Ka'uhiwai La" by Napua Greig and Kenneth Makuakane from "Ho'anapau," Hulu Lindsey (Kahulu)
>> "Wailua" by Mary K. Puku'i and Bill Kaiwa from "Pulama 'Ia Na Mele O Kaua'i," Leilani Rivera Bond (Leilani)

Album

>> "Far Away Heaven," Raiatea Helm (Rip Tide), Kenneth Makuakane and Alden Levi, producers
>> "Hawaiian Memories," Na Leo Pilimehana (NLP Music), Na Leo Pilimehana and Kenneth Makuakane, producers
>> "Ho'anapau," Hulu Lindsey (Kahulu), Kenneth Makuakane, producer
>> "Makani 'Olu'olu," Na Palapalai (Koops 2), Shawn Pimental, producer
>> "Wahine Slack 'n Steel," Owana Salazar (Moonbow Records), Owana Salazar, producer

Hawaiian Lang. Performance

>> Kawai Cockett for "Still Strumming!" (Hula)
>> Kekuhi Kanahele for "Honey-Boy" (Mountain Apple Co.)
>> Keawe Lopes for "He Aloha No" (Mana Pa'i)
>> Na Palapalai for "Makani 'Olu'olu" (Koops 2)
>> Kaiolohia Funes Smith for "Aloha Ku'u Home O Hana" (Ululoa)

Haku Mele

>> "Aloha Nanakuli" by Keawe Lopes from "He Aloha No" (Mana Pa'i)
>> "Lei O Kohala" by Kaha'i Topolinski from "Origins / Kinohi," 'Ale'a (Poki)
>> "Pili Kapekepeke" by Julian Ako from "Makani 'Olu'olu," Na Palapalai (Koops 2)
>> "Wailua" by Mary Kawena Puku'i and Bill Kaiwa from "Pulama 'Ia Na Mele O Kaua'i, Leilani Rivera Bond (Leilani)
>> "Welina Manoa / Mahalo (e) Manoa" by Keawe Lopes from He Aloha No (Mana Pa'i)

Favorite Entertainer

>> 'Ale'a, "Origings / Kinohi"
>> Keola Beamer, "Soliloquy -- Ka Leo O Loko"
>> Teresa Bright, "A Gallery"
>> Kawai Cockett, "Still Strumming!"
>> Raiatea Helm, "Far Away Heaven"
>> I. Mihana, "Rust on the Moon"
>> Hulu Lindsey, "Ho'anapau"
>> Makana, "Koi Au"
>> Na Leo Pilimehana, "Hawaiian Memories"
>> Na Palapalai, "Makani 'Olu'olu"
>> Owana Salazar, "Wahine Slack 'n Steel"
>> Jake Shimabukuro, "Sunday Morning"

Technical categories

Graphics

>> Clutch Design for "Montage," Forté (Afterthought)
>> Francis Mau for "Instrumental Peace," Barry Flanagan (Finn)
>> Brian Onaga for "A Gallery," Teresa Bright (Pumehana)
>> Brian Onaga for "Origins / Kinohi," 'Ale'a (Poki)
>> Sae Design for "Far Away Heaven," Raiatea Helm (Rip Tide)

Engineering

>> Milan Bertosa for "Honey-Boy," Kekuhi Kanahele (Mountain Apple Co.)
>> Troy Gonzalez and Bosco Tan for "Simply Sale," Konishiki (All Hearts)
>> Gaylord Holomalia, DJ Pratt and Troy Gonzalez for "Blue Album," Kalapana (OceanBeat)
>> Lawrence Yurong for "Believe," Believe (Hobo House On The Hill)
>> Lawrence Yurong for "Rascal in Paradise," O-Shen (Hobo House On The Hill)

Liner Notes

>> Pekelo Day and Laurie Rohrer for "Mai Na Kupuna Mai," Pekelo Day (Ululoa)
>> Neil J. Hannahs for "Origins / Kinohi," 'Ale'a (Poki)
>> Jay W. Junker for "Soliloquy -- Ka Leo O Loko," Keola Beamer (Dancing Cat)
>> Jay W. Junker for "To Honor a Queen," Ozzie Kotani (Dancing Cat)
>> Don McDiarmid, Jr. for "Don McDiarmid Presents Hula Records Hits" Various artists (Hula)



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