And the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award goes to ...

The nonprofit Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts announced the winners of the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards on Saturday, June 21.

The Album of the Year went to Kala‘e Parish for “Where Iʻm Going.” The Male Vocalist of the Year also went to Parish, while Female Vocalist of the Year went to Christy Leina‘ala Lassiter.

HARA’s 48th annual award ceremony was held at the Sheraton Waikīkī Beach Resort. The awards recognize recordings released between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024.

HARA members “who are now, or have previously been, active in the recording arts and sciences as professionals, such as radio, television, record company employees, arts and entertainment writers, and other members of the media, and, in a new category, individuals who are not professionally affiliated with the recording industry, but who have demonstrated a keen knowledge of and interest in the recorded music of Hawai’i,” select the award winners.

Here are the award winners:

General Categories

• Album of the Year
  “Where I’m Going”
  Producers: Imua Garza & Kala‘e Parish (Kala‘e Parish Music)
• Male Vocalist of the Year
  Kala‘e Parish – “Where I’m Going” (Kala‘e Parish Music)
• Female Vocalist of the Year
  Christy Leina‘ala Lassiter – “Ho‘i Ke Aloha” (Christy Leina‘ala Lassiter)
• Group of the Year
  Seven Suns – “Many Feathers” (Ineffable Records)
• Most Promising Artist(s) of the Year
  Kapena School of Music – “Play Loud, Vol. 1” (KSMCE Music Hub)
• Alternative Album of the Year
  Big Chief Thunder – “Malama Aina” (Bamboo Room Recording)
• Anthology of the Year
  “Kuʻu Manaʻo” – Kawika Kahiapo
  Producer: Kawika Kahiapo (Pono Records)
• Christmas Album of the Year
  Kala‘e + Kalena – “Kala‘e + Kalena + Kalikimaka” (Kamakoa Productions)
• Christmas Single of the Year
  Rasmussen & Makuakāne – “My Christmas Wish” (Makuakāne Music)
• Compilation Album of the Year
  “Ha‘ina Ko Wehi: Celebrating West Maui in Mele” – Institute of Hawaiian Music, UH Maui College
  Producers: Keola Donaghy, Joel Katz, Stephen Fox & Lance D. Collins
• Contemporary Acoustic Album of the Year
  Rasmussen & Makuakāne – “A Matter Of The Heart” (Makuakāne Music)
• Contemporary Album of the Year
  Kala‘e Parish – “Where I’m Going” (Kala‘e Parish Music)
• EP (Extended Play) of the Year (tie)
  Kapena School of Music – “Play Loud, Vol. 1” (KSMCE Music Hub) AND
  Jeff Rasmussen – “Written On My Heart” (Mango Tree Music Records LLC)
• Hawaiian EP (Extended Play) of the Year
  Gregory Juan – “Kauluwehi” (Kahikina Productions)
• Hawaiian Music Album of the Year
  Kalani Pe‘a – “Kuini” (Pe‘a Records & Entertainment)
• Hawaiian Music Video of the Year
  “Ka Na‘i Aupuni” – Kalani Pe‘a feat. Jake Shimabukuro & Kamehameha Schools Maui Hawaiian Ensemble
• Hawaiian Single of the Year
  Hi‘ikua – “Ka Leo Kupuna” (Kanemakua Records)
• Hawaiian Slack Key Album of the Year
  George Kuo – “Kiho‘alu: Stories In Song, Vol. 1” (Dancing Cat Records)
• Hip Hop Album of the Year
  Punahele & SoundGaruda – “Priced Out Of Paradise” (SoundGaruda/808)
• Instrumental Album of the Year
  Kaori Kawabuchi – “Piano In Paradise” (THP)
• Instrumental Composition of the Year
  “Kula Blues” – Jake Shimabukuro & Mick Fleetwood (JS Records/FortyBelow Records)
• Island Music Album of the Year
  Weldon Kekauoha – “‘Ano‘ai” (Ohelo Records & WAY House Entertainment)
• Jazz Album of the Year
  Tarvin Makia & Faith Ako – “Ho‘okanikapila, Maui” (Faith Ako)
• Metal Album of the Year
  Sacred Idol – “Shield of Honor” (Tin Idol Productions)
• Music Video of the Year
  Seven Suns – “Many Feathers” (Ineffable Records)
• R&B Album of the Year
  Johnny Valentine & Kailua Bay Buddies – “Hey Yo” (StudioValentineOneMusic)
• Reggae Album of the Year
  Seven Suns – “Many Feathers” (Ineffable Records)
• Religious Album of the Year
  Kenneth Makuakāne – “E Ho‘omana Kākou” (Makuakāne Music)
• Rock Album of the Year
  Sandemonium – “A Tribute To Pat Benatar” (Tin Idol Productions)
• Single of the Year
  Seven Suns – “Many Feathers” (Ineffable Records)
• Song of the Year (Composer Award)
  “Kickin’ Back” – Kala‘e (Kala‘e Parish Music)
• ‘Ukulele Album of the Year
  Jake Shimabukuro & Mick Fleetwood – “Blues Experience” (JS Records/FortyBelow Records)

Adjudicated Categories

• Engineering – General
  Seven Suns – “Many Feathers” (Ineffable Records)
• Engineering – Hawaiian
  Dave Tucciarone – “Hoʻomalamalama” by Kahiau Lam Ho (Kahiau Lam Ho)
• Graphics
  Dancing Hands Co. – “Aloha Pauahi: Voices Of Legacy” by Various Artists (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
• Haku Mele (Best Hawaiian Language Composition)
  “Leilehua Ke Kuini O Ke Kai (1955)” – Edwin Mahiʻai Copp Beamer
  From: “Aloha Pauahi: Voices Of Legacy” (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
• Hawaiian Language Performance
  Eric Lee – “The Islands Are Calling” (Lee Enterprises)
• International Album – Special Recognition Award
  Kaulana – “Hoa Lanihuli” (Kaulana)
• Liner Notes – General (TIE)
  Pono Fernandez – “Many Feathers” (Seven Suns)
  Riann Nālani Fujihara & Kalani Peʻa – “Kuini” (Kalani Peʻa)
• Entertainer of the Year (Public Vote)
  Weldon Kekauoha
• Ki-ho‘alu Legacy Award
  Daniel Ho

Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.