Two first-time recording artists lead the field this year as the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) announced the finalists in 32 categories for the 2017 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

Keauhou – the trio of Jonah Kahanuola Solatario, Nicholas Keali‘i Lum and Zachary Lum – leads the field with 12 nominations in nine categories for their debut album, “Keauhou. Kalani Pe‘a is second with nine nominations in nine categories for his Grammy Award-winning debut album, “E Walea.”

If Pe‘a’s album wins in any category he will be the first to win a Hoku Award and a Grammy Award for the same album. Grammy winners Daniel Ho and George Kahumoku Jr., are also Hoku winners but they received Hokus for other projects.

Hoku Zuttermeister is a close third with eight nominations. Raiatea Helm and Cyril Pahinui are tied for fourth with seven nominations each.

All these finalist tallies include technical award nominations that may go to other people – song writers, liner notes writers, graphic arts designers and recording studio engineers. However, the Album of the Year award goes to the winning album’s producer(s) as well as to the recording artist, and since Helm, Keauhuo, Pahinui and Zuttermeister participated as producers well as artists a win in that category would win them two awards – one for their work as recording artists and a second for their work as producers.

Keauhou’s twelve finalist nominations include three in the adjudicated Haku Mele category for best newly-written Hawaiian language song – one by each member of the group. That reduces the maximum number of awards Keauhou can win to 10.

The HARA membership will determine the winners in 28 categories. The winner of 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 song writing.

The winner in the International Recognition Album category is also adjudicated. The criteria used in adjudicating that category and the qualifications of the adjudicators have not been made public.

The winners will be announced at the 40th annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards on Saturday, May 20, at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Other awards may be announced there.

2017 NĀ HŌKŪ HANOHANO AWARDS

GENERAL CATEGORIES

Female Vocalist of the Year – Best performance by a female artist

1. AMY HANAIALI‘I, “REMEMBERING NAPUA” (Ua Records)

2. RA‘IATEA HELM, “HE LEO HUALI, ‘A PURE VOICE’’ (Ra‘iatea Helm Records)

3. MAGGIE HERRON, “BETWEEN THE MUSIC & THE MOON” (Herron Song Records)

4. MAILANI, “ALO I KE ALO” (Ha Enterprises)

5. YOZA, “PROLOGUE” (Yoza Music)

Group of the Year – Best performance by a vocal duo or group

1. KEAUHOU, “KEAUHOU” (Keauhou)

2. KOMAKAKINO, “E NIPO MAI” (The Lahui Project)

3. RON KUALAAU & ZANUCK LINDSEY, “KOKO” (Kapala Music Group)

4. KUIPAOA, “HO‘OKELE” (Hulu Kupuna Productions)

5. TOUCH OF GOLD, “A, WHENEVER YOU COME AROUND” (Kuleana Breakfast Club)

Male Vocalist of the Year – Best performance by a male artist

1. KAWIKA KAHIAPO, “UKE CAN CALL ME COUSIN” (Pono Records)

2. CYRIL PAHINUI, “HI‘ILAWE” (Pahinui Productions)

3. KALANI PE‘A, “E WALEA” (Kalani Pe‘a Music)

4. JOSH TATOFI, “PUA KIELE” (Bu-Print Records)

5. HOKU ZUTTERMEISTER, “KU‘U PUA SAKURA” (Kaleiola Records)

Most Promising Artist of the Year – Most promising first-recorded effort as a featured artist or group

1. AJA GAMPLE, “HUA‘I” (Aja Gample)

2. IZIK, “OBSIDIAN” (Zeo Music)

3. KAIMANA BAND, THE, “THE MOMENT” (Kaimana Music)

4. KEAUHOU, “KEAUHOU” (Keauhou)

5. KOLOMONA KU, “FOUNTAIN AFTER THE DROUGHT” (808 KO Music)

6. KALANI PE‘A, “E WALEA” (Kalani Pe‘a Music)

Single of the Year – Best-recorded performance of a song released as a single in either physical (CD) or digital format

1. “E NIPO MAI,” Komakakino (The Lahui Project)

2. “MOLOKA‘I ON MY MIND,” Blayne Asing (Asing A Song)

3. “NANI KE ALOHA,” Mailani (Ha Enterprises)

4. “PE‘AHI O MAKANA,” Lehua Kalima and Shawn Pimental featuring Devin Kamealoha Forrest (Koops2)

5. “SHINE,” John Keawe (Homestead Productions)

EP (“Extened Play”) of the Year – Best extended play release (between 3 and 8 songs) of newly released material.

1. “ALO I KE ALO,” Mailani (Ha Enterprises)

2. “HUA‘I,” Aja Gample (Aja Gample)

3. “PROLOGUE,” Yoza (Yoza Music)

4. “TASTE OF MY LOVE,” Shar Carillo (Waiulu Music)

5. “WHENEVER YOU COME AROUND,” A Touch of Gold (Kuleana Breakfast Club)

Album of the Year – Best album release of the year

1. “E WALEA,” Kalani Pe‘a (Kalani Pe‘a Music) Dave Tucciarone, Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing, and Allan Cool – producers

2. “HE LEO HUALI, ‘A PURE VOICE,’” Ra‘iatea Helm (Ra‘iatea Helm Records) Ra‘iatea Helm Records, Ra‘iatea Helm, and Dave Tucciarone – producers

3. “HI‘ILAWE,” Cyril Pahinui (Pahinui Productions) Cyril Pahinui – producer

4. “KEAUHOU,” Keauhou (Keauhou) Keauhou – producers

5. “KU‘U PUA SAKURA,” Hoku Zuttermeister (Kaleiola Records) Hoku Zuttermeister and Dave Tucciarone – producers

Song of the Year – Best achievement in creating a first-time recorded song

1. “HANOHANO HA‘IKŪ,” by Zachary Alaka‘i Lum from KEAUHOU (Keauhou)

2. “HE LEI ALOHA (NO HILO), by Kalani Pe‘a and Devin Kamealoha Forrest from E WALEA, Kalani Pe‘a (Kalani Pe‘a Music)

3. “KU‘U PUA SAKURA,” by Hoku Zuttermeister from KU‘U PUA SAKURA, Hoku Zuttermeister (Kaleiola Records)

4. “LEI HALA,” by Josh Tatofi and Kamakakehau Fernandez from PUA KIELE, Josh Tatofi (Bu-Print Records)

5. “MOLOKA‘I ON MY MIND,” by Blayne Asing from MOLOKA‘I ON MY MIND, Blayne Asing, (Asing A Song)

Instrumental Composition – (Composer’s award) Best achievement in creating a first-time recorded instrumental composition

1. “CONCERTO FOR SLACK KEY GUITAR AND ORCHESTRA, MALAMA ‘AINA 2ND MOVEMENT,” by Jeff Peterson from WAHI PANA, SONGS OF PLACE, Jeff Peterson (Peterson Productions)

2. “KEPANIWAI,” by John Keawe from LOLI‘ANA, John Keawe (Homestead Productions)

3. “KI‘HOALU,” by Cyril Pahinui from HI‘ILAWE, Cyril Pahinui (Pahinui Productions)

4. “LE‘AHI MORNING,” by Herb Ohta, Jr. from MY ‘UKULELE WORLD, Herb Ohta, Jr. (Lele Music Productions)

5. “TRITONE,” by Jake Shimabukuro, Nolan Verner, and Byron Yasui from NASHVILLE SESSIONS, Jake Shimabukuro (JS Records)

Favorite Entertainer of the Year – Best performance by an artist or group

1. AMY HANAIALI‘I

2. RA‘IATEA HELM

3. LEDWARD KAAPANA

4. KAWIKA KAHIAPO

5. KEAUHOU

6. KŪPAOA

7. CYRIL PAHINUI

8. KALANI PE‘A

9. JEFF PETERSON

10. JOSH TATOFI

11. HOKU ZUTTERMEISTER

GENRE CATEGORIES

Alternative Album of the Year – Best performance of alternative music.

1. “KUKAHI,” Kukahi Lee (Makalii Productions)

2. “LIFE, MUSIC, DEATH,” Zach Manzano (Zach Manzano)

3. “WE ARE ALIVE,” The Fresh Preps (no label)

Anthology Album of the Year – (Producer’s award) Best album of previously released material

1. “ALOHA GOT SOUL: SOUL, AOR & DISCO IN HAWAI‘I 1979 – 1985,” Various Artists (Strut Records) Aloha Got Soul – producers

2. “BEST OF MAOLI,” Maoli (Awong Entertainment) Glenn Awong – producer

3. “BEST OF WALTAH BOY TAVARES, THE,” Walter Boy Tavares (The Lahui Project) Jaz Kaiwiko‘o and Valissa Tavares – producers

4. “KAMAKA UKULELE PRESENTS: KEEP STRUMMING! CELEBRATING 100 YEARS,” Various Artists (Kamaka Hawai‘i) Kamaka Hawai‘i, Inc. – producers

5. “PEARL HARBOR SONGS, THE,” Various Artists (Island Viking) Keith Haugen and Gordon Freitas – producers

Christmas Album of the Year – Best performance in a Christmas theme

1. “DA NITE B’4 CHRISTMAS,” Various Artists (Moon Surfer Productions)

2. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAVIOUR,” Leon Williams (Leon Williams)

3. “HOPE OF ALL HOPES,” New Hope Oahu (DREAM Worship)

4. “MAUI SLACK KEY CHRISTMAS,” George Kahumoku, Jr. (Kealia Farms Records)

5. “METAL KALIKIMAKA – VOLUME 3,” Tin Idols (In Idol Productions)

Comedy Album of the Year – Best comedy performance release on album or DVD.

1. “BRIAN SHOW, THE,” Brian von Ahsen (Von Awesome)

2. “I AM A BAD DECISION,” Brandi Morgan (Pass Out Records)

3. “KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES,” Andrew Locklair (Pass Out Records)

Compilation Album of the Year – (Producer’s award) Best performance of newly released material by a minimum of three distinct artists

1. “HEART SPEAKS, THE,” Various Artists (Elation Records) Dennis Soares – producer

2. “LOVE YOUR MOTHER, MALAMA KA ‘AINA,” Various Artists (Daddy Leopard Records) Michelle Aquino, Brandon Apeles, and Darrell Aquino – producers

3. “MELE FROM AUNTY’S BEACH HOUSE AULANI, A DISNEY RESORT AND SPA,” Various Artists (Walt Disney Records) Kenneth Makuakane – producer

4. “MELE HO‘OHENO: SONGS FROM MAUNALOA AND KILAUEA,” Various Artists (no label) Kenneth Makuakane, Kaliko Beamer Trapp, and Lehua Mamo – producers

5. “REPRESENT II,” Various Artists (Malama Music Company) Ace Loughmiller – producer

Contemporary Album of the Year – Best performance in a contemporary style

1. “E WALEA,” Kalani Pe‘a (Kalani Pe‘a Music)

2. “IN TRANSITION,” Kapono Na‘ili‘ili (Hot Pink Records)

3. “KOKO,” Ron Kualaau & Zanuck Lindsey (Kapala Music Group)

4. “OBSIDIAN,” Izik (Zeo Music)

5. “VALLEY ISLE,” Matagi (Matagi Music)

Hawaiian Music Album of the Year – Best performance of Hawaiian musi

1. “HE LEO HUALI, ‘A PURE VOICE,’” Ra‘iatea Hellm (Ra‘iatea Helm Records)

2. “KALAPAWAI KU‘U ‘AINA KAULANA,” Chinky Mahoe (Kailua Beach Productions)

3. “KEAUHOU,” Keauhou (Keauhou)

4. “KU‘U PUA SAKURA,” Hoku Zuttermeister (Kaleiola Records)

5. “REMEMBERING NAPUA,” Amy Hanaiali‘i (Ua Records)

Hawaiian Slack Key Album of the Year Best performance of slack key or vocals with slack key accompaniment.

1. “HERE COMES TREBLE,” Leo Lindsey (Tiki Time)

2. “HI‘ILAWE,” Cyril Pahinui (Pahinui Productions)

3. “HO‘OMANA‘O,” Patrick Landeza (Addison Street Records)

4. “KAHUMOKU – PRIEST OF THE LAND,” George Kahumoku, Jr. (Kealia Farms Productions)

5. “NA‘AU HO‘OMAIKA‘I,” Peter Wing (Ka‘apeha Records)

6. “SLACKERS IN PARADISE,” Ken Emerson and Jim Kimo West (Westermost)

Hip Hop Album of the Year – Best performance of music in a hip hop style

1. “ISLAND MOJO,” Tre Tru & Petrafyne (Island Mojo)

2. “LEARN TO FLY,” Super Groupers (Eso Music Art)

3. “LOVE’S HERETIC,” Tantra (no label)

Instrumental Album of the Year – Best Instrumental performance

1. “ETERNITY: QUEEN LILI‘UOKALANI SONGS – PIANO COLLECTION,” Chiyo Flynn (Love & Music)

2. “LOLI‘ANA,” John Keawe (Homestead Productions)

3. “NASHVILLE SESSIONS,” Jake Shimabukuro (JS Records)

4. “SONGS FOR THE NORTH SHORE,” Ian O’Sullivan (Hoomana na Mele)

5. “WAHI PANA, SONGS OF PLACE,” Jeff Peterson (Peterson Productions)

Island Music Album of the Year – Best cotemporary performance of music of or about Hawaii

1. “HO‘OKELE,” Kupaoa (Hulu Kupuna Productions)

2. “MIST OPPORTUNITIES,” Kenneth Makuakane (KM Music)

3. “MOMENT, THE,” The Kaimana Band (Kaimana Music)

4. “PUA KIELE,” Josh Tatofi (Bu-Print Records)

5. “UKE CAN CALL ME COUSIN,” Kawika Kahiapo (Pono Records)

Jazz Album of the Year – Best jazz performance

1. “BETWEEN THE MUSIC & THE MOON,” Maggie Herron (Herron Song Records)

2. “BOUNDARIES,” The Slippersons (Studio Kumau)

3. “C’EST SI BON,” Mimi & L’Escargot (RVR)

4. “SASSY,” Washburn (EmKay Records)

5. “SO THIS IS LOVE,” Char Dyer (SBE Records)

Music DVD of the Year – Best performance of music and video on a DVD

1. “HAWAII ALOHA – SONG ACROSS HAWAII,” Various Artists (Mana Maoli)

2. “HE ANUENUE,” Taz Vegas (RSM Records/TVMusic)

3. “MEDUSA: A METAL MUSICAL,” Storm (Tin Idol Productions)

4. “SIRENS,” Tim Rose (no label)

Reggae Album of the Year – Best performance of music in a reggae style

1. “DOLLAR SHORT AND A MINUTE LATE,” A, Landon McNamara (Sea Major Seven)

2. “KILL EM WITH LOVE,” Jookbox City (Yucky Apple Studios)

3. “TALES OF THE FRUIT STAND MYSTIC,” Kanekoa (no label)

Religious Album of the Year – Best performance of religious material

1. “AVE MARIA, QUEEN OF ANGELS,” Cindy Paulos (Practicing Aloha)

2. “FUTURE + HOPE,” New Hope Oahu (DREAM Worship)

3. “LOCKED & LOADED,” Sons of Yeshua (Righteous Rudeboy Productions)

4. “RIGHTEOUS SON RIZE,” Rupert Tripp, Jr. (RTJ Music)

5. “SOUL PURPOSE, THE,” Kenneth Makuakane (KM Music)

Rock Album of the Year – Best performance of music in a rock style

1. “EVOLVE OR DIE,” Eliptic (no label)

2. “HELL HATH NO FURY,” Sin73 (Tin Idol Productions)

3. “MEDUSA,” Storm (Tin Idol Productions)

4. “METAL MORMONS: A TRIBUTE TO THE OSMONDS,” Tin Idols (Tin Idol Productions)

5. “OVERTHROW, THE,” Nesta (no label)

6. “TO AND FROM,” Scarlet Cord (Scarlet Cord)

Ukulele Album of the Year – Best ukulele performance

1. “JUS’ PRESS, VOL. 2,” Ledward Kaapana (Jus’ Press)

2. “MY ‘UKULELE WORLD,” Herb Ohta, Jr. (Lele Music Productions)

3. “THESE MOMENTS,” Kalei Gamiao (Neos Productions)

4. “‘UKULELE… OFF THE COUCH,” Arlie-Avery Asiu (Arlie-Avery Asiu)

5. “‘UKULELE PAINTINGS,” Neal Chin (no label)

TECHNICAL CATEGORIES

Graphics Award – Award for best total album packaging

1. MARC CARLOS and KAMAKA PILI for “KALAPAWAI KU‘U ‘AINA KAULANA,” Chinky Mahoe (Kailua Beach Productions)

2. DARYL FUJIWARA and ALLAN COOL for “E WALEA,” Kalani Pe‘a (Kalani Pe‘a Music)

3. KAWIKANUI KAHELE, for “KU‘U PUA SAKURA,” Hoku Zuttermeister (Kaleiola Records)

4. KI‘I GRAPHICS, CHELLE PAHINUI and AARON MIYASATO for “HI‘ILAWE,” Cyril Pahinui (Pahinui Productions)

5. JACK SOREN for “A DOLLAR SHORT AND A MINUTE LATE,” Landon McNamara (Sea Major Seven)

Liner Notes Award – Award for best liner notes, tie in vote

1. ROGER BONG for “ALOHA GOT SOUL: SOUL, AOR & DISCO IN HAWAI‘I 1979 – 1985,” Various Artists (Strut Records)

2. WILMA H. HOLI and RA‘IATEA HELM for “HE LEO HUALI, ‘A PURE VOICE,’” Ra‘iatea Helm (Ra‘iatea Helm Records)

3. GEORGE KAHUMOKU, JR. for “KAHUMOKU – PRIEST OF THE LAND,” George Kahumoku, Jr. (Kealia Farms Records)

4. LOUIS “MOON” KAUAKAHI for “KALAPAWAI KU‘U ‘AINA KAULANA”, Chinky Mahoe (Kailua Beach Productions)

5. ZACHARY LUM for “KEAUHOU,” Keauhou (Keauhou)

6. PUAKEA NOGELMEIER and KALIKOLĪHAU HANNAHS PAIK for “HO‘OKELE,” Kupaoa (Hulu Kupuna Productions)

7. HOKU ZUTTERMEISTER for “KU‘U PUA SAKURA,” Hoku Zuttermeister (Kaleiola Records)

ADJUDICATED CATEGORIES

Haku Mele Award – (Composer’s award) Best first-released song or chant primarily in the Hawaiian language

1. “HANOHANO HA‘IKU” by Zachary Lum, from “KEAUHOU,” Keauhou (Keauhou)

2. “HE LEI ALOHA (NO HILO),” by Kalani Pe‘a and Devin Kamealoha Forrest from “E WALEA,” Kalani Pe‘a (Kalani Pe’a Music)

3. “KA PUA KŌKALA,” by Puakea Nogelmeier from “HO‘OKELE,” Kupaoa (Hulu Kupuna Productions)

4. “KAHIKO KAPALAMA,” by Jonah Kahauola Solatorio from “KEAUHOU,” Keauhou (Keauhou)

5. “PIKAKE LAUNA ‘OLE,” by Nicholas Keali‘i Lum from “KEAUHOU,” Keauhou (Keauhou)

Hawaiian Language Performance Award – (Artist award) Best performance in the Hawaiian Language

1. RA‘IATEA HELM. “HE LEO HUALI ‘A PURE VOICE,’” (Ra‘iatea Helm Records)

2. KEAUHOU, “KEAUHOU” (Keauhou)

3. KUPAOA, “HO‘OKELE,” (Hulu Kupuna Productions)

4. CHINKY MAHOE, “KALAPAWAI KU‘U ‘AINA KAULANA” (Kailua Beach Productions)

5. KALANI PE‘A, “E WALEA” (Kalani Pe‘a Music)

International Album Special Recognition Award – Award restricted to non-US artists (those born in and who reside in the country in which the submission originates)

1. “KA LEI NANI I KA PUA NANI,” Kaulana Toyo (Kaulana Toyo Music)

2. “MY FAVORITE THINGS,” Ukulele Swing Trio (JB Music)

3. “SLOW MUSIC – IWAO’S HAWAIIAN COLLECTION 1 – SLACK KEY GUITAR & UKULELE,” Iwao Yamaguchi (Oceanview Records)

4. “TAKAO LIFE SKETCH,” Star Wish Ukulele Band (no label)

5. “TWILIGHT CARNIVAL,” Kyas (Dekisou Lab)