There was a big sense of deja vu Saturday night as Mark Yamanaka, already a nine-time Hoku winner when he released his third album, “Lei Lehua,” last fall, picked up another armful of trophies as the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts presented it 42nd Na Hoku Hanohano Awards at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
Yamanaka was honored as male vocalist of the year and for top album, sharing the latter award with co-producer Kellen Paik while getting a second Hoku as the recording artist. Yamanaka had won both categories in 2011 and 2014.
“Morning Drive” from the album “Lei Lehua” was named top single and the title track earned Yamanaka and songwriting partner Kalikolihau Paika the Hoku for song of the year.
“Lei Lehua,” which includes original songs and covers of such standards such as “Sweet Lei Mokihana,” also was named island music album of the year.
Na Hoa — Keoni Souza, Ikaika Blackburn and Halehaku Seabury-Akana — won group of the year and Hawaiian music album of the year a second time. Anuhea added another Hoku to her collection with a win for female vocalist of the year. Zachary Lum won for Hawaiian language composition for the third year in a row, while his group, Keauhou, won for Hawaiian language performance for the third year in a row as well.
First-time recording artists Na Wai ‘Eha snagged the Hoku for most promising artist.
The Ki Ho’alu Foundation Legacy Award was bestowed upon Patrick Landeza, while Ledward Kaapana was honored with the Moe Keale “Aloha Is” Award for Community Service.
The HARA membership determines the winners in 28 categories. The award for favorite entertainer of the year is determined by public voting online. This year it’s Taimane.
Winners in the engineering, liner notes, graphics and two Hawaiian-language categories are selected by panels of specialists. The international recognition album category is also adjudicated.
NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARDS WINNERS
>> Album of the year (award to artist and producers): “Lei Lehua,” Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna Productions); Mark Yamanaka and Kellen Paik, producers
>> Group: Na Hoa, “Aloha from Na Hoa” (NH Records)
>> Male vocalist: Mark Yamanaka, “Lei Lehua”
>> Female vocalist: Anuhea, “Follow Me: Deluxe Hawaii Edition” (Sono Record Group/AnuheaJams)
>> Most promising artist: Na Wai ‘Eha, “Na Wai ‘Eha” (NWE Records)
>> EP (extended play): “Keoni Ku,” Keoni Ku (Tribal Treble Records)
>> Hawaiian EP: “He Lani Ko Luna, He Honua Ko Lalo,” Institute of Hawaiian Music UH Maui College (Institute of Hawaiian Music)
>> Single: “Morning Drive,” Mark Yamanaka
>> Hawaiian single: “He Aloha Waiau,” Waipuna (Poki Records)
>> Song of the year (award to songwriters): “Lei Lehua” by Mark Yamanaka and Kalikolihau Paik; Mark Yamanaka
>> Instrumental composition (award to composers): “Life Is” by Kris Fuchigami; Kris Fuchigami (no label listed)
>> Alternative album: “The Process of,” Sean Cleland (Sean Cleland Music, LLC)
>> Anthology (award to producers): “Kalapana: The Original Album Collection,” Kalapana (Manifesto); Dan Perloff, producer
>> Compilation album (award to local producers): “The Songs of C&K,” various artists (Kapono Records); Henry Kapono, First Hawaiian Bank, Lezlee Ka‘aihue, producers
>> Contemporary album: “Beautiful Day,” Na Leo (NLP Music, Inc.)
>> Contemporary acoustic: “Ukulele Sunshine,” Papa Ray (no label listed)
>> Hawaiian album: “Aloha from Na Hoa,” Na Hoa
>> Hawaiian slack key album: “Marketplace,” Cyril Pahinui (Pahinui Productions)
>> Hip-hop album: “From Beneath Mt. Ka‘ala,” Punahele (no label listed)
>> Instrumental album: “‘Ukulele Hula,” Herb Ohta, Jr. (Neos Productions)
>> Island music album: “Lei Lehua,” Mark Yamanaka
>> Jazz album: “A Ton of Trouble,” Maggie Herron (Herron Song Records)
>> Metal album: “Jekyll & Hyde,” Storm (Tin Idol Productions)
>> R&B album: “Have Fun,” Karlie G (Karlie Goya)
>> Reggae album: “Ekolu Music 3: For Hawai‘i,” Ekolu (Waiehu Records)
>> Religious album: “Na Mele Pule,” Kenneth Makuakane (KM Music)
>> Rock album: “Giant,” Deborah Vial Band (North Shore Record Co.)
>> Haku Mele (award to songwriters): “No Anela Uilani, He Inoa,” Zachary Alaka‘i Lum; Keauhou (Keauhou)
>> Hawaiian language performance: Keauhou, “Ua Ko, Ua ‘Aina”; Keauhou (Keauhou)
>> Engineering, general: Allan Thomas for “Two Sides to Every Story”; Allan Thomas (Black Bamboo Recordings)
>> Engineering, Hawaiian: Wendell Ching and Sean Na‘auao for “Na Keiki O Hawai‘i”; Sean Na‘auao (Maliona Records)
>> Graphics: Clarence Lee Design for “Ola,” Tsutomu Nakai (Wa Taiko THR Inc.)
>> Liner notes: Chelle Pahinui and Ilihia Gionson for “Marketplace,” Cyril Pahinui
>> International album recognition: “Pihalani,” Kaulana (Kaulana)
>> Favorite entertainer: Taimane
