PRESS RELEASE
Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts
P. O. Box 821
Honolulu, HI 96808
For more information contact:
Bonnie Ryder, Office Manager
(808) 235-9424
FOR RELEASE ON APRIL 17, 2003

NEWER HAWAIIAN MUSIC ARTISTS DOMINATE HOKU NOMINATIONS

Honolulu, Hawai‘i — April 17, 2003— A crop of newer artists rooted in Hawaiian music lead the nominees for this year's Na Hoku Hanohano Awards honoring the best of Hawai'i's recording industry. The Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts has announced the nominations for the 26th annual awards which will be presented on Wednesday, May 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and broadcast live at 7:30 p.m. on KFVE-TV.

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 for this year's honors. Helm's release, "Far Away Heaven," is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, Most Promising Artist, Album of the Year, Hawaiian Album of the Year, Favorite Entertainer of the Year and the Graphics award. This is the Moloka'i teenager's debut CD.

Na Palapalai's "Makani 'Olu'olu," is up for Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Hawaiian Album of the Year, Favorite Entertainer of the Year, the Hawaiian Language Performance award and Haku Mele (Hawaiian language song for "Pili Kapekepeke," written by Julian Ako). Members of the trio are Keao Costa, Kuana Torres and Kehau Tamure. Costa has previously released a solo CD and Torres and Tamure recorded as part of Akoni and Da Palapalai Patch.

Maui's Hulu Lindsey is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Favorite Entertainer of the Year and twice for Song of the Year (for "He Mele No Ku'u Tutu," written by Napua Greig and for "Nani Waimea I Ka'uhiwai La," written by Napua Greig and Kenneth Makuakane). The CD, "Ho'anapau," is Lindsey's second solo release. 'Ale'a, winners in 2001, are up for Group of the Year, Album of the Year, Island Contemporary Album of the Year, Favorite Entertainer of the Year, the Graphics award, Liner Notes award, Haku Mele (for "Lei O Kohala," written by J. Kahai Topolinski). Members of the trio are Ryan Gonzalez, Kale Hannahs and Chad Takatsugi.

Other leading finalists are Na Leo Pilimehana for "Hawaiian Memories," Owana Salazar for "Wahine Slack N' Steel," Kekuhi Kanahele for "Honey-Boy," Kawai Cockett for "Still Strumming!" Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts members will vote in 21 categories. A panel of Hawaiian music and language specialists selected the final nominees and winners of the Haku Mele and Hawaiian Language Performance awards. And public voting will begin next month at Borders Books and Music stores around the state to determine the Favorite Entertainer of the Year. Tickets for the formal gala dinner and ceremony are $95.00 per person. Call 235-9424 for reservations.

Na Hoku Hanohano 2003 Final Ballot

Female Vocalist Of The Year

Best performance by a female artist.

• RAIATEA HELM, Far Away Heaven (Rip Tide)
• ILONA IRVINE, Keep It Comin' (Hobo House OnThe 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

Best performance by a male artist.

• 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 Of The Year

Best performance by a duo or group.

• 'ALE'A, Origings/Kinohi (Poki)
• KALAPANA<, Blue Album (OceanBeat)
• KAHAUANU LAKE SINGERS, Na Mele 'Auhau (Songs OfTribute) (Hula)
• NA LEO PILIMEHANA, Hawaiian Memories (NLP Music)
• NA PALAPALAI, Makani 'Olu'olu (Koops 2)

Single Of The Year

Best performance on a single or extended play disc or cassette.

• 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 Of The Year

Best performance of music in a contemporary style.

• 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 of the Year

Best performance of music in a reggae style.

• 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 Of The Year

Best performance of comedy material.

• HALF NUTS, Jeff Kino (My Son Jaren)
• JOHNNY SWEETBREAD...THE LOST TAPES, Johnny Sweetbread (RHM)
• LOCALLY DISTURBED, Augie Tulba (KDE)

Jazz Album of the Year

Best performance of music in a jazz style.

• HOT GYPSY NIGHTS, Tom Conway (Tomcat Music)
• RUST ON THE MOON, I. Mihana (I M Recordings)
• WATCH WHAT HAPPENS, Benoit JazzWorks

Most Promising Artist(s)

Most Promising first-recorded effort as a featured artist or group.

• PEKELO DAY, Mai Nä Küpuna 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 of the Year

Producer's award. Best performance by newly released material by a minimum of three distinct artists.

• ALOHA FESTIVALS HAWAIIAN FALSETTO CONTEST WINNERS III, Various Artists (Hula) Donald P. "Flip" McDiarmid III, William Baba Alimoot, Charles Michael Brotman, Chance Gardner, Janet Hyrne, Steve Kramer, Cody Pueo Pata, Jake Rohrer, Frank Shaner, Lynn Martin and Randy Sugata, producers
• BIG ISLAND'S OWN HANA HOU!, Various Artists (J.A.G.S.) Tommy Ching, producer
• HAWAII SINGS FOR THE CHILDREN, Various Artists (Friends of Foster Kids) Friends Of Foster Kids, producer
• HAWAIIAN SLACK KEY GUITAR FESTIVAL - VOL. 1, Various Artists (Rhythm & Roots) Milton Lau, producer
• TINY CD 2, Various Artists (Score) Dave Tucciarone, producer

Anthology Of The Year

Producer's award - best album of previously released material.

• BEST OF FLYIN' HAWAIIAN VOL. 3, Various Artists (Flyin' Hawaiian), Lester Gantan, producer
• DON MCDIARMID, JR. PRESENST HULA RECORDS' HITS, Various Artists (Hula), Don McDiarmid, Jr., producer
• A GALLERY, Teresa Bright (Pumehana), Teresa Bright and Kata M aduli, producers
• HAWAIIAN STYLE 2, Various Artists (NEOS), Pati St. John, producer
• WITH ALOHA FROM HAWAI'I, Various Artists (United), Pat Rocco and Gregg Perry, producers

Instrumental Of The Year

Best instrumental performance.

• 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 Of The Year

Best performance of music with a Christmas theme.

• A FATHER - DAUGHTER CHRISTMAS, Stardancer (Golden Boy Music)
• A KANAKA CHRISTMAS, Sean Na'auao (Poi Pounder)
• INSTRUMENTAL CHRISTMAS CLASSICS, Jack de M ello (Mountain Apple Co.)

Religious Album Of The Year

Best performance of religious material.

• 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 of the Year

Best performance of music in a rock style.

• 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 Of The Year

Best performance of the music of Hawaii in the contemporary style.

• 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 Of The Year

Best performance of Hawaiian music.

• 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 Of The Year

Composer's award—best achievement in creating a first-time recorded 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 HÆ'ANAPAU, Hulu Lindsey (Kahulu)
• Nani ÿO Wai'anae by Kenneth Makuakane, Manu Boyd and Robbie Cabral from HAWAIIAN MEMORIES, Na Leo Pilimehana (NLP Music)
• Nani Waimea I Ka'uhiwai La by Napua Greig and Kenneth Makuakane from HÆ'ANAPAU, Hulu Lindsey (Kahulu)
• Wailua by Mary K. Puku'i and Bill Kaiwa from P‚LAMA 'IA NA MELE O KAUA'I, Leilani Rivera Bond (Leilani)

Album Of The Year

Best LP, Cassette or Compact Disc release of the year. Artist(s) and producer(s) award.

• FAR AWAY HEAVEN, Raiatea Helm (Rip Tide) Kenneth Makuakane and Alden Levi, producers
• HAWAIIAN MEMORIES, Na Leo (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 Language Performance

Best performance using the Hawaiian language.

• KAWAI COCKETT for Still Strumming! (Hula)
• KEKUHI KANAHELE for Honey ä 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

Best achievement in creating a new song or chant primarily in the Hawaiian language.

• 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 P„lama Ia Na Mele O Kaua'i, Leilani Bond (Leilani)
• Welina Manoa Mahalo (e) Manoa by Keawe Lopes from He Aloha No (Mana Pa'i)

Favorite Entertainer of the Year

Best performance by an artist or artists. Voted by the public.

• 'ALE'A, Origings/Kinohi<o:p></o:p>
• KEOLA BEAMER, Soliloquy - Ka Leo O Loko<o:p></o:p>
• TERESA BRIGHT, A Gallery<o:p></o:p>
• KAWAI COCKETT, Still Strumming!<o:p></o:p>
• RAIATEA HELM, Far Away Heaven<o:p></o:p>
• I. MIHANA<, Rust On The Moon<o:p></o:p>
• HULU LINDSEY, Ho'anapau (Kahulu)
• MAKANA<, Koi Au<o:p></o:p>
• NA LEO PILIMEHANA, Hawaiian Memories<o:p></o:p>
• NA PALAPALAI<, Makani 'Olu'olu (Koops 2)
• OWANA SALAZAR, Wahine Slack N' Steel (Moonbow)
• JAKE SHIMABUKURO, Sunday Morning

Graphics

Best achievement in album cover design. (Choose one).

• CLUTCH DESIGN, Montage’, Forte (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

Best achievement in engineering. (Choose one).

• MILAN BERTOSA for Honey ~ Boy, Kekuhi Kanahele (Mountain Apple Co.)
• TROY GONZALEZ for Simply Sale, Konishiki (All Hearts)
• GAYLORD HOLOMALIA, DJ PRATT and TROY GONZALEZ forBlue Album, Kalapana (OceananBeat)
• 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

Best achievement in album annotation. (Choose one).

• PEKELO DAY and LAURIE ROHRER for Mai Na Kupuna Mai, Peleko Day (Ululoa)
• NEIL J. HANNAHSfor 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 Artist (Hula)

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