2023 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Nominees

Album of the Year (Producer's & Artist's Award)

Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1 by Festivals Of Aloha (Haku Records)
Ho‘omana‘o by Nathan Aweau (BP Music Arts)
I Le‘a by Keauhou (Keauhou)
Ka Haku Mele by Kealiʻi Reichel, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cory Pueo Pata & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
Music Heals The Soul by Wehilei (Wehilei Music)
Natalie Noelani by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)

EP ("Extended Play") of the Year

Child of These Islands by Kala‘e Camarillo (Kala‘e Camarillo)
Faith by Dillon Pakele (Dillon Pakele)
It's Christmas All Over The World by The Makaha Sons (Ha.Ka. Entertainment)
Sweet Island Music by Chardonnay (Hifi Records)
This Is by Crossing Rain (Pono Entertainment, LLC)

Hawaiian EP ("Extended Play") of the Year

A‘ea‘e by A‘ea‘e - Tarvin Makia, Jeff Dayton, Keola Donaghy, Kenneth Makuakāne (Nani Kama‘ole Music)
He Mele No Pāpā Too, More Songs For Dad by Kalani Miles (Mea Nui Records)
Waikapū by Lee Gonsalves (Tin Idol Productions)

Single of the Year

Kohala, HI by Wehilei (Wehilei Music)
Nā Iwi feat. No‘eau Kalima by Kamaka Camarillo (Kamaka Camarillo)
Saltwater Kiss by Kimie Miner (Haku Records)
Sweet Life by Henry Kapono (Kapono Records)
These Islands by Kala‘e (Kala‘e)

Hawaiian Single of the Year

Aia I Kīlauea (‘Ā Mai) by A‘ea‘e - Makia, Dayton, Donaghy, Makuakāne (Nani Kama‘ole Music)
Hulali E by Ei Nei (Ei Nei)
Ke Ali‘i Ho‘opulapula by Manu Boyd & Kaulana Vares feat. Robert Cazimero & Kupu Dalire-Na‘auao
Mokihana Lullabye by Stacie Ku‘ulei (Tin Idol Productions)
No Waimea Ke Aloha by Natalie Ai Kamauu & Iolani Kamauu (Keko Records)
Paukūkalo by Kamalei Kawa‘a & Cody Pueo Pata (Kāhuli Leo Le‘a)

Christmas Single of the Year

Christmas Angels by Kapena (KDE Records)
It's Christmas Time Again by Kala‘e Camarillo (Kala‘e Camarillo)
O Come Let Us Adore Him by Zeo Worship (Zeo Music)
O Holy Night by Stacie Ku‘ulei (Tin Idol Productions)
Season Of Aloha by Walea ( Walea Music)

Music Video of the Year

Aina Hanau by Nathan Aweau (BP Music Arts)
Crusin' by Wehilei (Wehilei Music)
Pipeline's Daughter by Taimane (Diamond Entertainment, LLC)
These Islands by Kala‘e (Kala‘e)
We Have A Kuleana by Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus (Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus)

Hawaiian Music Video of the Year

Hanohano ‘o Maui Nui A Kama/Ho‘oheno A‘o Pi‘ilani by Institute Of Hawaiian Music (IHM)
He ‘A‘ali‘i Au by Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus (Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus)
Ka Wai ‘Apo Lani by Keauhou (Keauhou)
No Waimea Ke Aloha by Natalie Ai Kamauu & Iolani Kamauu (Keko Records)
Pua ‘Āhihi by Leokāne Pryor & Jim "Kimo" West (Naupaka Productions)
Sakura by Steven Espaniola (SheGo)

Instrumental Composition of the Year (Composer‘s Award)

Always Be There by Kris Fuchigami (Kris Fuchigami)
Anakala by Ka‘imi Hanano‘eau (Loihi Inc)
Dada by Nicholas Kaleikini (Ming Pur Records)
Mauna Kea Beach Blues by Gary Washburn & Jesse Snyder (Sax Monkey Hawaii)
Pipeline's Daughter by Taimane (Diamond Entertainment, LLC)

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Song of the Year (Composer‘s Award)
No Waimea Ke Aloha by Natalie Ai Kamauu & Iolani Kamauu (Keko Records)
Old Kihei by Kala‘e Camarillo (Kala‘e Camarillo)
Sweet Life by Henry Kapono (Kapono Records)
These Islands by Kala‘e (Kala‘e)
Wrapped In A Bow by Kalani Pe‘a (Pe‘a Records & Entertainment)

Female Vocalist of the Year

Maelan Abran for Time Is Now (Pīkake Records)
Natalie Ai Kamauu for Natalie Noelani (Keko Records)
Rachel Morley for Maranatha Live from Honolulu Album Vol 1 (Zeo Music)
Sandy Essman for Renaissance: Volume 2 (Tin Idol Productions)
Stacie Ku‘ulei for Sweet Baby (Tin Idol Productions)
Wehilei for Music Heals The Soul (Wehilei Music)

Male Vocalist of the Year

Dillon Pakele for Faith (Dillon Pakele)
Kala‘e Camarillo for Child of These Islands (Kala‘e Camarillo)
Kalani Miles for He Mele No Pāpā Too, More Songs For Dad (Mea Nui Records)
Kalani Pe‘a for Purple Hawaiian Christmas (Pe‘a Records & Entertainment)
Nathan Aweau for Ho‘omana‘o (BP Music Arts)

Group of the Year

A‘ea‘e for A‘ea‘e -Tarvin Makia, Jeff Dayton, Keola Donaghy, Kenneth Makuakāne (Nani Kama‘ole Music)
Hoaka for Kalai Pōhaku (Mea Nui Records LLC)
Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus for Nā Pono Hawai‘i (Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus)
Keauhou for I Le‘a (Keauhou)
The Tonga Sisters for I Believe (Shadow Mountain Records)

Most Promising Artist(s) of the Year

Chante for Ready (Blessed Sounds)
Chardonnay for Sweet Island Music (Hifi Records)
Keanali‘iomanae Bertelmann for Ku‘u Kulāiwi (Studio Kumau)
Kenny Tagavilla for Crusin' (Kenny T Music)
Wehilei for Music Heals The Soul (Wehilei Music)

Alternative Album of the Year

Give You Everything by Dreams Of Future Machines (Dreams Of Future Machines)
Glitter Hole by Robbie Quine (Geza X Records)
Life Is No Joke by Freddy VP (Fvpmusic Productions)
One by Vishious Fishious (Nanoweber Records)
Shine Your Light by Big Chief Thunder (Bamboo Room Recording)

Anthology of the Year (Producer's Award)

Anthology by Toma/Natto (Vivid Sound/Tropic Hawaii Records)
Ho‘āla by Various Artists (On The Up Records)
Huliau by Kenneth Makuakāne (Makuakāne Music)
The Best Of Storm: Volume 1 by Storm (Tin Idol Productions)
The Lāhui Project Anthology 1 by Various Artists (The Lahui Project - Poly Urban)

Compilation Album of the Year (Producer's Award)

Aloha & Mahalo 3 by Various Artists (Linda Bade Honolulu)
Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1 by Festivals Of Aloha (Haku Records)
Ka Haku Mele by Kealiʻi Reichel, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cory Pueo Pata & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
Mele Ho‘opulapula, Vol. 2 by Various Artists (Kāhuli Leo Le‘a)

Contemporary Album of the Year

Duets on Life & Love by Dennis & Christy Soares (Elation Records)
Past Life Lovers by Shauna McCoy (Shauna McCoy)
Purple Hawaiian Christmas by Kalani Pe‘a (Pe‘a Records & Entertainment)
Seasons In The Sun by Michael Chock (Seawind Productions)
Slacknova by Bad Papa (Bad Papa)

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Contemporary Acoustic Album of the Year
Don't Stop Believing by Frank Ka‘ano‘i (Frank Ka‘ano‘i Music)
Renaissance: Volume 2 by Sandy Essman (Tin Idol Productions)
Wish You Were Here by Richard Natto (RD Music/Firmbizness)

Hawaiian Music Album of the Year

I Le‘a by Keauhou (Keauhou)
Ku‘u Kulāiwi by Keanali‘iomanae Bertelmann (Studio Kumau)
Lanihuli by Leokāne Pryor & Jim "Kimo" West (Naupaka Productions)
Nēia ‘Āina Aloha by KUmZ (Kauakoko Foundation)

Hip Hop Album of the Year

Good Catch by TheBrewz (Infinite Companion)
Ho‘okupu - A Hip-Hop Anthology of Hawaiian History by Various Artists (Hui O Kuapā)
The Phoenix & The Arsonist by Drifton Limrik + Ohtoro (Zenbu Records)
XV: The Kama‘āina Classic Experience by I.A. (The Kama‘āina Classic Recordings)

Instrumental Album of the Year

Da Bruddah Hood by Deems & Friends (J-Town Records)
Earwax by Jaz Kaiwiko‘o - (The Lahui Project - Poly Urban)
Hawaiki by Taimane (Diamond Entertainment, LLC)
S-K1 by Alexander Wong (Alexander Wong)
The Art Of Improvisation by Dennis & Christy Soares (Elation Records)

Island Music Album of the Year

Ho‘omana‘o by Nathan Aweau (BP Music Arts)
Kalai Pōhaku by Hoaka (Mea Nui Records LLC)
Nā Pono Hawai‘i by Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus (Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus)
Natalie Noelani by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
Patrick Landeza & Sons by Patrick Landeza (Addison Street Records)

Jazz Album of the Year

Eastbound Connection by Aaron Aranita (Sugartown Records)
From My Heart by Jimmy C (Jimmy C)
Jazz at Manta by Gary Washburn & Jesse Snyder (Sax Monkey Hawaii)
Kumau Barn Sessions-‘Āina-Kanaka-Jazz by Apokolani & The Maker Brothers (Ouli Wai/TryLookInside)
One Man - One Mic - One Guitar - Jazz Standards by Danny Johnson (Living Room Sessions)
Straight Ahead by The Honolulu Jazz Quartet (Honolulu Jazz Quartet)

Metal Album of the Year

Noise Pollution by Iron Lotus (Iron Lotus)
The Doomsday Clock by SIN73 (Tin Idol Productions)
The Fortune Queen by Storm (Tin Idol Productions)
The Insatiable Doomsday Machine by The Midnight Skulls (Tin Idol Productions)

R&B Album of the Year

Ascension by Tre Tru (TRUMedia)
Sweet Baby by Stacie Ku‘ulei (Tin Idol Productions)
Time Is Now by Maelan Abran (Pīkake Records)

Reggae Album of the Year

Better Days by Jeremiah Kaholoaa (Miah Music Molokai)
Music Heals The Soul by Wehilei (Wehilei Music)
Squid Lu‘au by The Urchinz (Vanarec)

Religious Album of the Year

By The Grace Of God by Jeff Rasmussen & Harrison Murray (Mango Tree Music)
Declarations by C4 Worship (Zeo Music)
Hemolele by Zeo Worship (Zeo Worship)
I Believe by The Tonga Sisters (Shadow Mountain Records)
Maranatha Live from Honolulu Album Vol 1 by Rachel Morley (Zeo Music)

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Rock Album of the Year
"3" The Darkness And The Light by Average Joes (Play That Disco Productions)
Eight Palms Ranch by Paul West (Basement Money Records)
Real Slick by Eyes Of Red (Tin Idol Productions)

Graphics
Chaz Kamauu for Natalie Noelani by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
Gerard K. Gonsalves for The Fortune Queen by Storm (Tin Idol Productions)
Kanai'a Nakamura & Kanaeokana for Mele Ho'opulapula, Vol. 2 by Various Artists (Kāhuli Leo Le'a)
Mele McPherson for Better Days by Jeremiah Kaholoaa (Miah Music Molokai)
Pualena Pakele & Cabot for Nēia 'Āina Aloha by KUmZ (Kauakoko Foundation)

Haku Mele
Hanohano Laʻiʻōpua - Holeka Goro Inaba & Makakoa Inaba, Composers from Hanohano Laʻiʻōpua by Holeka Goro Inaba & Makakoa Inaba (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
Kahalaoweke - Cody Pueo Pata, Composer from Ka Haku Mele by Kealiʻi Reichel, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cory Pueo Pata & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
Kuʻu ʻĀina ʻo Papakōlea - Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio & Laʻamea Paleka, Composers from Kuʻu ʻĀina ʻo Papakōlea by Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio & Laʻamea Paleka (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
Nani Wale ʻO Piʻiholo - Kealiʻi Reichel, Composer from Ka Haku Mele by Kealiʻi Reichel, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cory Pueo Pata & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum (Kāhuli Leo Leʻa)
Ulupō Nui - Kīhei deSilva & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum, Composers from I Leʻa by Keauhou (Keauhou)

Hawaiian Language Performance

Hemolele by Zeo Worship (Zeo Worship)
I Leʻa by Keauhou (Keauhou)
Kuʻu Kulāiwi by Keanaliʻiomanae Bertelmann (Studio Kumau)
Lanihuli by Leokāne Pryor & Jim "Kimo" West (Naupaka Productions)
Nā Pono Hawaiʻi by Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus (Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus)
Nēia ʻĀina Aloha by KUmZ (Kauakoko Foundation)

International Album
Heavenly Island by Kenta Ebara (Jangling Jamboree)
My Life by Yoshiko Matsushima (Hone Music)
Hawaiian Heritage - Ke Aloha 'Aina by Hiliu (Hili Music)
Ke'alaokekaimakahikina by Kaulana (Kaulana Entertainment)
Reach For Tomorrow by Ukulele Swing Trio (JB Music)

Liner Notes
Cody Pueo Pata for Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1 by Festivals Of Aloha (Haku Records)
Keauhou & U'ilani Tanigawa Lum for I Le'a by Keauhou (Keauhou)
Lihau Paik for Patrick Landeza & Sons by Patrick Landeza (Addison Street Records)
Lynell K. Bright for Nā Pono Hawaii by Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus (Kamehameha Schools Children's Chorus)
Robert Pennybacker for Straight Ahead by The Honolulu Jazz Quartet (Honolulu Jazz Quartet)
Zachary Alaka'i Lum & Nā Haku Mele O Mele Ho'opulapula, Vol. 2 for Mele Ho'opulapula, Vol. 2 by Various Artists (Kāhuli Leo Le'a)

General Engineering
Dave Tucciarone & Kapena DeLima for Natalie Noelani by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
Imua Garza for Maranatha Live from Honolulu Album Vol 2 by Rachel Morley (Zeo Music)
Lock Lynch for One by Vishious Fishious (Nanoweber Records)
Malamaponomaikalani Patoc for Ready by Chante (Blessed Sounds)
Michael Casil for Purple Hawaiian Christmas by Kalani Pe'a (Pe'a Records & Entertainment)

Hawaiian Engineering
Joel Katz, Keola Donaghy, Kenneth Makuakāne & Tarvin Makia for A'ea'e by A'ea'e (Nani Kama'ole Music)
Michael Casil for Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1 by Festivals Of Aloha (Haku Records)
Michael Casil for I Le'a by Keauhou (Keauhou)
Michael Grande for Ka Haku Mele by Keali'i Reichel, Kainani Kahaunaele, Cory Pueo Pata & Zachary Alakaʻi Lum (Kāhuli Leo Le'a)
Michael Grande for Mele Ho'opulapula, Vol. 2 by Various Artists (Kāhuli Leo Le'a)