Mark Yamanaka, Kamaka Kukona and The Green were the big winners as the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts held its 2014 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards show Saturday in the Kalakaua Ballroom at the Hawai’i Convention Center.

Yamanaka, a top Hawaiian artist since his solo debut album, "Lei Pua Kenikeni," won album and male vocalist of the year in 2011, won a pace-setting four Hoku on Saturday, including male vocalist, album and Hawaiian-music album.

For the first time in 30 years there were two winners for male vocalist: Yamanaka tied with first-time recording artist Kukona. Kukona also won for most promising artist and became the sixth person in Na Hoku Hanohano history to win both male vocalist and most promising artist in the same year.

The Green made history with the band’s win for group of the year. It was the first time a Jawaiian/Hawaii reggae group has captured that major category. The Green also was voted by the public as favorite entertainer of the year.

Kupaoa, the duo of Kellen Paik and Kalikolihau Hannahs Paik, won two Hoku for its album "Bumbye," with a third going to songwriter Puakea Nogelmeier for penning the title song. The husband-and-wife performers won individual awards as producers of Yamanaka’s album, and Kalikolihau Hannahs Paik won another for her work on Yamanaka’s liner notes.

Napua Greig’s controversial decision to have her album, "Lei Kulaia," removed from the female vocalist category after the five finalists were announced paid off big for her mother, Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee Carmen Hulu Lindsey, who was also a finalist in the category.

Lindsey’s album, "A He Leo Wale No E," was a finalist in four categories but scored a win only in the contest for female vocalist. Greig had won the category with both of her two previous albums; this year she won for Christmas album for "Lei Kulaia."

Greg Sardinha won instrumental album of the year.

"It’s a nice plus for the Hawaiian guitar," he said. "We need some help. We need to get in line with the ukulele and the slack-key. We’re falling behind."

David Kamakahi, who shared the award for instrumental composition, said, "It’s great knowing that I had two great teachers. My father and this guy here."

He was referring to his writing partner, Herb Ohta Jr.

"He’s like my little older brother," Kamakahi said.

And when Ohta won ukulele album of the year, he dedicated the award to Dennis Kamahaki and Chino Montero, both of whom died recently.

The emotional high point of the nontelevised pre-show was the opener, when David Kamakahi led a group of musicians in playing three of his father’s most popular compositions.

The HARA membership determines the winners in 28 categories. The favorite entertainer is determined by public vote. Winners in the two Hawaiian-language categories (haku mele and Hawaiian-language performance) are selected by a panel of specialists in Hawaiian songwriting. The winner in the engineering category is selected by a panel of mainland studio engineers who do not work in the local recording industry.

The winner in the international recognition album category is also adjudicated. The criteria and the qualifications of the adjudicators have not been made public.

2014 NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARD WINNERS

» Female vocalist of the year: Hulu Lindsey, "A He Leo Wale No E" (Kahulu)

» Male vocalist (tie): Kamaka Kukona, "Hanu ‘A’ala" (Hanu); Mark Yamanaka, "Lei Maile" (Hulu Kupuna)

» Group: The Green, "Hawai’i ’13" (Easy Star)

» Most promising artist: Kamaka Kukona, "Hanu ‘A’ala" (Hanu)

» Favorite entertainer: The Green

» Album: "Lei Maile," Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna), producers Kale Chang, Mark Yamanaka, Kellen Paik and Kalikolihau Hannahs Paik

» EP (extended play): "Napili," Waipuna (Poki)

» Single: "Maui Under Moonlight," Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna)

» Song (composer’s award): "E Ku’u Lei, My Love," Kuana Torres Kahele, from "E Ku’u Lei, My Love," Kuana Torres Kahele and Maila Gibson (Kuana Torres Kahele)

» Instrumental composition: "Napili Bay," by David Kamakahi and Herb Ohta Jr., from "Napili," Waipuna (Poki)

» Alternative album: "Just Dream," Amanda Frazier (Amanda Frazier)

» Anthology album (producers award): "Eia," Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko), producers Dave Tucciarone, Iolani Kamauu and Natalie Ai Kamauu

» Christmas album: "Lei Kulaia," Napua (Pihana)

» Compilation album (producer’s award): "The Haumana" soundtrack, various artists (Koops2), producers Shawn Pimental and Keo Woolford

» Contemporary album: "Cast Your Cares," Kapena De Lima (KDE)

» Hawaiian-music album: "Lei Maile," Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna)

» Hip-hop album: "The Akira Project," The Akira Project (‘Aumakua)

» Instrumental album: "Stainless: Steel Guitar Stylings of Greg Sardinha," Greg Sardinha (Keala)

» Island music album: "Bumbye," Kupaoa (Hulu Kupuna)

» Jazz album: "A Hui Hou: Until We Meet Again," Hula Honeys (Community)

» Music video/DVD: "Let’s Play Music: Slack Key With Cyril Pahinui & Friends," various artists (Pacific Islanders/’Oiwi), producers Na’alehu Anthony and Cyril Pahinui

» R&B album: "Yoza," Yoza (Yoza)

» Reggae album: "Hawai’i ’13," The Green (Easy Star)

» Religious album: "Hope is Alive," New Hope Oahu with Pastor Wayne Cordeiro (Dream)

» Rock album: "Dangerous Crossing," Stuart Hollinger (Keala)

» Slack-key album: "Slack Key Travels," Jeff Peterson (Peterson)

» ‘Ukulele album: "Pure ‘Ukulele," Herb Ohta Jr. (Lele)

» Graphics (designer’s award): Daryl Fujiwara for "Hanu ‘A’ala," Kamaka Kukona (Hanu)

» Liner notes: Kale Chang and Kalikolihau Hannahs for "Lei Maile," Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna)

» Haku mele (composer’s award): "Bumbye," Puakea Nogelmeier, from "Bumbye," Kupaoa (Hulu Kapuna)

» Hawaiian-language performance: Kupaoa, "Bumbye" (Hulu Kupuna)

» Engineering: Lawrence Yurong, "Na’auao" by Sean Na’auao (Mountain Apple)

» International recognition album: "Moe’uhane," Hoene (Hoene)

» Ki Ho’alu Foundation Legacy Award: Yuuki "Alani" Yamauchi