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Debut album sweeps Hokus with 9 awards

John Berger
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photos by Cindy Ellen Russell / crussell@staradvertiser.com

The trio Keauhou became the third group in history to win the album of the year, group of the year and most promising artist categories for its self-titled debut album at the 40th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, held Saturday evening at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Pictured performing at the awards are Zachary Lum, left, Jonah Solatario and Nicholas Lum of Keauhou. Ra‘iatea Helm, below, received the award for female vocalist of the year for “He Leo Huali: ‘A Pure Voice.’”

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2017 MAY 20 FTR HSA photo by Cindy Ellen Russell crussell@staradvertiser.com Ra‘iatea Helm received the Female Vocalist of the Year Award for “He Leo Huali: ‘A Pure Voice’’’ (Ra‘iatea Helm Records) at the 40th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards held on Saturday evening.

“Keauhou,” the self-titled debut album by Nicholas Lum, Zachary Lum and Jonah Solatario, swept the 40th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards Saturday night at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, with wins in all nine categories in which the trio was nominated.

Wins for album of the year, group of the year and most promising artists made Keauhou the third group in the history of the Hawaii recording industry awards to win those three categories with a debut album. The trio also won for Hawaiian music album, Hawaiian language performance and favorite entertainer, the last determined by public voting.

Adding to the tally were three individual awards to Zachary Lum for his work as a songwriter (song of the year and Haku Mele) and liner notes writer.

Only two other recording artists won more than a single Hoku. Josh Tatofi scored a long-shot win over Kawika Kahiapo, Cyril Pahinui, Grammy winner Kalani Pe‘a and Hoku Zuttermeister for male vocalist and also won the island music album category.

Pahinui increased his lifetime awards total to 17 with wins for Hawaiian slack-key album and best instrumental composition.

Ra‘iatea Helm won female vocalist for the third time. Veteran studio engineer Dave Tucciarone received a Hoku for his work as her album’s engineer.

Pe‘a became the first Hawaii recording artist to win a Grammy and a Hoku Award for the same album when his debut album, “E Walea,” won in the contemporary album category.

The Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts membership determines the winners in most of the categories. Winners in the two Hawaiian-language categories (Haku Mele and Hawaiian language performance) are selected by a panel of specialists in Hawaiian songwriting. Winners in the engineering categories are determined by a panel of nonresident studio engineers.

The winner in the International Recognition Album category is also adjudicated.

2017 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards winners

>> Album: “Keauhou,” Keauhou (Keauhou); Keauhou, producers

>> Male vocalist: Josh Tatofi, “Pua Kiele” (Bu-Print Records)

>> Female vocalist: Ra‘iatea Helm, “He Leo Huali: ‘A Pure Voice’” (Ra‘iatea Helm Records)

>> Group: Keauhou, “Keauhou”

>> Most promising artist: Keauhou, “Keauhou”

>> Single: “Moloka‘i On My Mind,” Blayne Asing (Asing A Song)

>> EP (Extended Play): “Alo I Ke Alo,” Mailani (Ha Enterprises)

>> Song: “Hanohano Ha‘iku,” by Zachary Lum, “Keauhou”

>> Instrumental composition: “Ki Ho‘alu,” by Cyril Pahinui from “Hi‘ilawe,” Cyril Pahinui (Pahinui Productions)

>> Alternative album: “Kukahi,” Kukahi Lee (Makalii Productions)

>> Anthology album: “Kamaka Ukulele Presents: Keep Strumming! Celebrating 100 Years,” Various Artists (Kamaka Hawai‘i); Kamaka Hawai‘i, producers

>> Christmas album: “Maui Slack Key Christmas,” George Kahumoku Jr. (Kealia Farms Records)

>> Comedy album: “I Am A Bad Decision,” Brandi Morgan (Pass Out Records)

>> Compilation album: “Mele From Aunty’s Beach House Aulani, A Disney Resort And Spa,” Various Artists (Walt Disney Records); Kenneth Makuakane, producer

>> Contemporary album: “E Walea,” Kalani Pe‘a (Kalani Pe‘a Music)

>> Hawaiian music album: “Keauhou,” Keauhou

>> Hawaiian slack-key album of the year: “Hi‘ilawe,” Cyril Pahinui

>> Hip-hop album: “Love’s Heretic,” Tantra (no label)

>> Instrumental album: “Wahi Pana, Songs of Place,” Jeff Peterson (Peterson Productions)

>> Island music album: “Pua Kiele,” Josh Tatofi

>> Jazz album: “Between the Music &the Moon,” Maggie Herron (Herron Song Records)

>> Music DVD: “Hawaii Aloha: Song Across Hawaii,” Various Artists (Mana Maoli)

>> Reggae album: “Tales of the Fruit Stand Mystic,” Kanekoa (no label)

>> Religious album: “Righteous Son Rize,” Rupert Tripp Jr. (RTJ Music)

>> Rock album: “The Overthrow,” Nesta (no label)

>> Ukulele album: “Jus’ Press, Vol. 2,” Ledward Kaapana (Jus’ Press)

>> Graphics: Kawikanui Kahele, for “Ku‘u Pua Sakura,” Hoku Zuttermeister (Kaleiola Records)

>> Liner notes: Zachary Lum for “Keauhou”

>> Haku Mele: “Hanohano Ha‘iku” by Zachary Lum, “Keauhou”

>> Hawaiian-language performance award: Keauhou, “Keauhou”

>> International album special recognition award: “My Favorite Things,” Ukulele Swing Trio (JB Music)

>> Hawaiian engineering: Dave Tucciarone for “He Leo Huali, ‘A Pure Voice,’” Ra‘iatea Helm

>> General engineering: David Kauahikaua for “Whenever You Come Around,” A Touch of Gold (Kuleana Breakfast Club)

>> Favorite entertainer: Keauhou

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