2002 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards Winners

The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) Honors the Best in Hawaiian Music

On Tuesday, May 21, 2002, the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts awarded their 2002 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for excellence in music produced in Hawaii. The Mana`o Company, a five-member group which disbanded in the early 1990's, reunited last year and won five 2002 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. The new hit group Keahiwai not only won the award for most promising artist, but also won the prestigious favorite entertainer of the year award, which is determined by a vote of the listening public. Ernie Cruz, Jr. and Amy Hanaiali`i Gilliom won the awards for male and female vocalists of the year. The song, "Aloha" from the album "Spread a Little Aloha" by The Mana`o Company won the awards for both song of the year and single of the year, honoring songwriter Danny Kennedy.

We honor this year's winners. Where possible we have provided a link to our comparison price agent, MySimon.com, so that you can obtain the best prices available should you wish to purchase any of these albums.

The complete list of this year's Na Hoku winners:

Favorite Entertainer of the Year (by public vote)
Keahiwai, for "Local Girls" (Island Groove)

Album of the Year (awarded to performer and producer)
"Spread a Little Aloha," The Mana'o Company (Dan-Pa/A Guava Ding Thing), Danny Kennedy, Dave Tucciarone and TMC, producers

Single of the Year (composers' award)
"Aloha," The Mana`o Company (Dan-Pa/A Guava Ding Thing)

Song of the Year
"Aloha" by Danny Kennedy, from "Spread a Little Aloha," The Mana`o Company (Dan-Pa/A Guava Ding Thing)

Male Vocalist of the Year
Ernie Cruz Jr., "Portraits" (Pi'inalu Music)

Female Vocalist of the Year
Amy Hanaiali`i Gilliom, "Pu`uhonua" (Hanaiali`i)

Group of the Year
The Lim Family, "Na Mele No Na Hanauna" (Kohala)

Most Promising Artist of the Year
Keahiwai, "Local Girls" (Island Groove)

Religious Album of the Year
"Na Leo O Ke Kula Ni`ihau O Kehaka," `Aha Punana Leo, (`Aha Punana Leo)

Rock Album of the Year
"Living in a Movie," Gail Swanson (Rock Fever)

Contemporary Album of the Year
"Spread a Little Aloha," The Mana`o Company (Dan-Pa/A Guava Ding Thing)

Reggae Album of the Year
"Progression," Sean Na`auao (Poi Pounder)

Jazz Album of the Year
"Harlem Nocturne," Azure McCall (Ala Moana)

Christmas Album of the Year
"Christmas Gift 2," Na Leo Pilimehana (NLP Music)

Compilation Album of the Year (producer's award)
"Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Contest Winners, Vol. 2," various artists (Hula) William Baba Alimoot, Steve Kramer, Donald P. "Flip" McDiarmid III, Frank Shaner and Randy Sugata, producers

Anthology of the Year (producer's award)
"Na Pua O Hawai'i," Makaha Sons & Friends (Poki), Kata Maduli, producer

Instrumental Album of the Year
"Pana Aloha Hawaiian Heartbeat," Kapono Beamer (Kapono Beamer)

Island Contemporary Album of the Year
"Portraits," Ernie Cruz, Jr. (Pi`inalu Music)

Hawaiian Album of the Year
"Alone in IZ World," Israel Kamakawiwo`ole (Big Boy)

Hawaiian Language Performance
`Aha Punana Leo, "`Ina`i `Elua" (`Aha Punana Leo)

Haku Mele (composer's award)
"Aloha Ku`u Home A I Ke `Alohi," by Frank Kawai Hewett, from "Holomua," Sean Na`auao (Poi Pounder)

Ki Ho`alu Award (slack key guitar)
George Kuo

Graphics
Bill Ernst, for "E Ho`i Na Wai," Cody Pueo Pata (Ululoa)

Engineering
Dave Tucciarone, for "Spread a Little Aloha," The Mana`o Company (Dan Pa/A Guava Ding Thing)

Liner Notes
Lea A. Uehara, for "Kalapawai Ku`u One Hanau" Chinky Mahoe (Poki)

Lifetime Achievement Awards
Krash Kealoha, Nora Keahi Santos, Haunani Kahalewai, Noelani Mahoe and Tom Moffatt.