Na Hoa — the staunchly traditionalist Hawaiian trio of Ikaika Blackburn, Halehaku Seabury and Keoni Souza — was the big winner at Saturday night’s 2013 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
“We were hoping to win one,” Blackburn said as the group accepted its first award, for most promising artist. “Now the pressure’s off.”
The trio’s self-titled debut album would go on to win four of the seven awards it was up for: album of the year, group of the year and Hawaiian music album of the year, as well as most promising artist.
The album of the year award goes to the producers as well as to the artist, and in this case Na Hoa shared producing credits with industry veteran Dave Tucciarone.
Tucciarone won a second Hoku for his work as co-producer of the winning anthology, “A 20 Year Collection of The Mana‘o Company.”
Nathan Aweau won two Hokus — island music album and song of the year — for “‘Io.”
Aweau said the awards are meaningful as validation. “I think that as a songwriter when we write our songs they come 99 percent from our heart, so if people don’t like it, it kind of crushes you.”
Amy Hanaiali‘i took home trophies for the contemporary album and female vocalist of the year for “My Father’s Granddaughter.” Hanaiali‘i is now a five-time winner for female vocalist, although one of her previous wins is for an album she recorded as a duo with Willie K.
Other repeat winners for the awards, sponsored by the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, included Manu Boyd, known for more than two decades as a founding member of Ho‘okena, who won two Hokus for his solo debut album, “Mele ʻAilana: Manu Boyd Island Music,” and Weldon Kekauoha, a prior winner as a member of The Mana‘o Company, whose solo album, “Pilialoha,” prevailed over intense competition to win in the male vocalist category. Kekauoha also was named favorite entertainer, the only category determined by public vote.
Boyd spoke of the importance of liner notes as he accepted that Hoku: “Liner notes are another opportunity to tell the story. In the case of ‘Mele ‘Ailana,’ these are original songs that I can further describe beyond the Hawaiian lyrics and English translation. The written word is still very important, otherwise you lose the mana (spiritual power).”
California resident Patrick Landeza achieved a milestone as the first musician from outside Hawaii to win a Hoku, for “Slack Key Huaka‘i.”
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be up here representing the mainland — the first mainland-born Hawaiian to win a Hoku,” Landeza said.
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NA HOKU HANOHANO WINNERS
>> Album of the year: “Na Hoa,” Na Hoa and Dave Tucciarone, producers
>> Song: “Uhiwai,” Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus)
>> Favorite entertainer: Weldon Kekauoha
>> Group: Na Hoa
>> Female vocalist: Amy Hanaiali‘i, “My Father’s Granddaughter” (UA)
>> Male vocalist: Weldon Kekauoha, “Pilialoha” (‘Ohelo)
>> Most promising artist: Na Hoa, “Na Hoa” (Na Hoa)
TOP ALBUMS
>> Alternative: “Contrast,” Sing the Body (‘Aumakua)
>> Anthology: (producers award): “A 20 Year Collection of The Mana‘o Company,” The Mana‘o Company (Dan Pa), Danny Kennedy and Dave Tucciarone, producers
>> Christmas: “Hilo for the Holidays,” Kuana Torres Kahele (Kuana Torres Kahele)
>> Compilation: (producers award): “Lana‘i Slack Key Festival: Live Kiho‘alu at Ke‘ele,” various artists (Jazz Alley), Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, John Keawe, Kevin Brown, Brother Noland, Kenneth Martinez Burgmaier, Cindy Combs, Benny Uyetake and Dave Lower, producers
>> Contemporary: “My Father’s Granddaughter,” Amy Hanaiali‘i (UA)
>> Hawaiian music: “Na Hoa,” Na Hoa (UA)
>> Hip-hop: “Live From Soul Sound,” Evasive Species (‘Aumakua)
>> Instrumental: “Steel’n Love,” Bobby Ingano (Kui‘ou‘ou)
>> International: “Noho Aloha,” Maika‘iloa (no label)
>> Island music: “‘Io,” Nathan Aweau (Bass Plus)
>> Jazz: “I Wish You Love,” Melveen Leed (ML Records)
>> Reggae: “The Change I’m Seeking,” Mike Love (Love Not War)
>> Religious: “Glory to God on High,” Jeff Rasmussen and James Rubin (Glory to God)
>> Rock: “The Blinding Speed of Trust,” Piranha Brothers (‘Aumakua)
>> Slack key: “Slack Key Huaka‘i,” Patrick Landeza (Addison Street)
>> Ukulele: “Tell U What,” Brittni Paiva (Brittni Paiva)
OTHER AWARDS
>> Engineering: Wendell Ching and Kapena De Lima for “Shame on You,” Kimie (Kimie Miner)
>> EP (extended-play release): “Wahi Mahalo,” Kamakakehau Fernandez (Kamakakehau)
>> Graphics: B. Kanaiʻa Nakamura for “Ha‘a,” Na Palapalai (Kuana Torres Kahele)
>> Haku mele (composer award): “Kaka‘ako Ku‘u ‘Aina Aloha,” Kaiponohea Hale, from “Ho‘ola Lahui, Ho‘oulu Pae ‘Aina: Vibrant People, Thriving Lands,” various artists (Kamehameha Schools)
>> Hawaiian language performance: Manu Boyd, “Mele ‘Ailana: Manu Boyd Island Music” (Hui Waianuhea)
>> Instrumental composition (composer award): “Tell U What,” Brittni Paiva
>> Liner notes: Manu Boyd, Robert Cazimero and Shawn Livingston Moseley, “Mele ‘Ailana: Manu Boyd Island Music,” Manu Boyd (Hui Waianuhea)
>> Music video/DVD: “The Hawaiian Legends: Live in Concert,” various artists (Kuleana)
>> Single: “Merry Christmas Darling,” Waipuna (Poki) special honors
>> Ki Hoalu Foundation Legacy Award: Dennis Kamakahi
>> Mo Keale “Aloha Is” Award for Community Service: Kuuipo Kumukahi
>> Maiki Aiu Steel Guitar Legacy Award: Jerry Byrd
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