さて今年の「ナ・ホク・ハノハノ・アワード」の優勝者は？ 今回目立ったのは、「ナ・ホア」。デビューアルバム「ナ・ホア」で”Album of the Year” を初め、”Group of the Year”, “Most Promising Artist” “Hawaiian Music Album of the Year”.と4つの賞をとりました！ナ・ホアはイカイカ・ブラックバーン、ケオニ・スーザ、ハレハク・シーベリー-アカカの3人で構成され、トラディッショナル・ハワイアンミュージックグループです。すばらしいのは、みんなハワイ語を話せるということです。ナ・ホアの曲はこちらのラジオでもよく流れており、実力派ミュージシャンとして今後の活躍が期待されるところです。
ナ・ホアに次いで目立ったのは、「ネイサン・アヴェアウ」も”Island Music Album”と”Song of the Year” の2つの賞を受賞。ネイサンは、2005, 2006年連続で、”Male Vocalist of the Year”を受賞しています。そして今年の”Male Vocalist of the Year” には、日本でも大人気の「ウェルドン・ケカウオハ」が選ばれました。ウェルドンは、“Favorite Entertainer of the Year”も受賞。この賞は、一般の人からの投票で決まります。さすが、ウェルドン！
クムフラ、「マヌ・ボイド」も”Liner Notes”と”Hawaiian Language Performance”の2部門で受賞。新しいウクレレ部門”Ukulele Album of the Year”では、「ブリトニー・パイヴァ」、そしてナ・パラパライのメンバー、「クアナ・トレス・カヘレ」は”Christmas Album of the Year”、マウイ島フォルセットコンテストでの優勝経験を持つ「カマカケハウ・フェルナンデス」は、”EP(Extended Play) of the Year”を受賞いたしました。
以下に、各賞の受賞者を掲載します（Honolulu Advertiser Pulse より）
Female Vocalist of the Year
Amy Hanaiali‘i, “My Father’s Granddaughter” (UA)
Male Vocalist of the Year
Weldon Kekauoha, “Pilialoha” (‘Ohelo)
Most Promising Artists of the Year
Na Hoa, “Na Hoa” (Na Hoa)
Anthology Album of the Year (Producers Award)
“A 20 Year Collection Of The Mana‘o Company,” The Mana‘o Company (Dan Pa), Danny Kennedy and Dave Tucciarone, producers
Alternative Album of the Year
“Contrast,” Sing The Body (‘Aumakua)
Group of the Year
Na Hoa
Jazz Album of the Year
“I Wish You Love,” Melveen Leed (ML Records)
Island Music Album of the Year
“‘Io,” Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus)
Christmas Album of the Year
“Hilo For The Holidays,” Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele)
Religious Album of the Year
“Glory To God On High,” Jeff Rasmussen and James Rubin (Glory To God)
Instrumental Composition of the Year (Composer Award)
“Tell U What,” Brittni Paiva (Brittni Paiva)
Extended Play (EP) Release of the Year
“Wahi Mahalo,” Kamakakehau Fernandez (Kamakakehau)
Instrumental Album of the Year
“Steel’n Love,” Bobby Ingano (Kuiʻouʻou)
Slack Key Album of the Year
“Slack Key Huaka‘i,” Patrick Landeza (Addison Street)
Single of the Year
“Merry Christmas Darling,” Waipuna (Poki)
Music Video/DVD
“The Hawaiian Legends: Live In Concert,” various artists (Kuleana)
Rock Album of the Year
“The Blinding Speed Of Trust,” The Piranha Brothers (‘Aumakua)
Hip-Hop Album of the Year
“Live From Soul Sound,” Evasive Species (‘Aumakua)
Reggae Album of the Year
“The Change I’m Seeking” Mike Love (Love Not War)
Hawaiian Music Album of the Year
“Na Hoa,” Na Hoa (UA)
Contemporary Album Of The Year
“My Father’s Granddaughter,” Amy Hanaiali‘i (UA)
Ukulele Album of the Year
“Tell U What,” Brittni Paiva (Brittni Paiva)
Compilation Album of the Year (Producers Award)
“Lanaʻi Slack Key Festival: Live Kiho‘alu At Ke‘ele,” various artists (Jazz Alley), Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, John Keawe, Kevin Brown, Brother Noland,
Kenneth Martinez Burgmaier, Cindy Combs, Benny Uyetake and Dave Lower, producers
Album of the Year
“Na Hoa,” Na Hoa and Dave Tucciarone, producers
Song of the Year
“Uhiwai,” Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus)
Favorite Entertainer of the Year
Weldon Kekauoha
Graphics Award
B. Kanaiʻa Nakamura for “Haʻa,” Na Palapalai (Kuana Torres Kahele)
Liner Notes
Manu Boyd, Robert Cazimero and Shawn Livingston Moseley, “Mele ʻAilana: Manu Boyd Island Music,” Manu Boyd (Hui Waianuhea)
Haku Mele (Composer Award)
“Kakaʻako Kuʻu ʻAina Aloha,” Kaiponohea Hale, from “Ho’ola Lahui, Ho‘oulu Pae ‘Aina: Vibrant People, Thriving Lands,” various artists (Kamehameha Schools)
Hawaiian Language Performance
Manu Boyd, “Mele ʻAilana: Manu Boyd Island Music” (Hui Waianuhea)
Engineering Award
Wendell Ching and Kapena De Lima for “Shame On You,” Kimie (Kimie Miner)
International Album Recognition Award
“Noho Aloha,” Maikaʻiloa (no label)
Moe Keale “Aloha Is” Award for Community Service
Ku’uipo Kamukahi
Ki Ho’alu Foundation Legacy Award
Dennis Kamakahi
Maiki Aiu Steel Guitar Legacy Award
Jerry Byrd
