Only entries created, produced, and/or engineered; recorded by a local resident artist, musician, or technician, released during the eligible year; and primarily distributed in Hawaii are acceptable for nomination.
Maui singer/composer Keali'i Reichel and his latest album "Ke'alaokamaile" were the top winners winning seven awards including five for Reichel himself including album of the year, Hawaiian album of the year and male vocalist of the year. Reichel had received 11 nominations, 10 for his long-awaited album "Ke'alaokamaile" and one as co-producer of the multi-artist anthology album "Pride of Punahele II."
First-time nominee Kainani Kahaunaele received three awards for her debut recording "Na'u 'Oe" - for most promising artist, female vocalist of the year and Hawaiian language performance of the year. The group Maunalua won two awards - group of the year and favorite entertainer of the year.
HARA members vote to determine the winners in 21 categories. A panel of Hawaiian music and language experts selects the final nominees and winners for the Haku Mele and Hawaiian Language Performance awards.
The winner of the Favorite Entertainer Award was determined by a vote of the public which was conducted at local Borders Bookstores beginning in early May.
The best place to purchase copies of the winning albums is online at the Hawaiian Music Island.
2004 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards Winners
Favorite Entertainer
- Maunalua, "Kuleana"
Album of the Year (an artist/producer award)
- "Ke'alaokamaile," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele) Keali'i Reichel, Fred Krauss and Jim Linkner, producers
Song of the Year (a composer's award)
- "Ka Nohona Pili Kai" by Keali'i Reichel and Puakea Nogelmeier from "Ke'alaokamaile," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele)
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Kainani Kahaunaele, "Na'u 'Oe" ('Aha Punana Leo)
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Keali'i Reichel, "Ke'alaokamaile" (Punahele)
Group of the Year
- Maunalua, "Kuleana" (Lokahi)
Most Promising Artist(s)
- Kainani Kahaunaele, "Na'u 'Oe" ('Aha Punana Leo)
Haku Mele (a composer's award)
- "Mele Ha'i Kupuna" by Kaumaka'iwa Lopaka Kanakaole, "Ha'i Kupuna," Kaumaka'iwa Lopaka Kanakaole
Hawaiian Album of the Year
- "Ke'alaokamaile," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele)
Hawaiian Language Performance
- Kainani Kahaunaele, "Na'u 'Oe" ('Aha Punana Leo)
Anthology Album of the Year (a producer's award)
- "Nina," Nina Keali'iwahamana (Mountain Apple) Jack de Mello, producer
Contemporary Hawaiian Album of the Year
- "Mohala Hou: Music of the Hawaiian Renaissance," Keola Beamer ('Ohe)
Compilation Album of the Year (a producer's award)
- "I Mua E Na Poki'i," various artists (Hawaiian Cultural Center/KSBE) Randie and Jamie Fong, Kenneth Makuakane and Tasha Tavares, producers
Christmas Album of the Year
- "Mele Kalikimaka From Kanilau," Kanilau (Nani Lawai)
Contemporary Album of the Year
- "Thirty Years Of Friends - Lifetime Party," Cecilio & Kapono (C&K)
Instrumental Album of the Year
- "Crosscurrent," Jake Shimabukuro (Four Strings)
Jazz Album of the Year
- "Ohana," Noel Okimoto (Roy Sakuma)
Reggae Album of the Year
- "The Circle," Natural Vibrations (Natural Vibrations)
Religious Album of the Year
- "Hosana," Na Leo Ho'onani (Un 2 One)
Rock Album of the Year
- "On And On," Jack Johnson (The Moonshine Conspiracy)
Technical Awards
Best Achievement in Album Cover Design
- Scott Johnson for "Ke'alaokamaile," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele)
Best Achievement in Engineering
- Jim Linkner for "[link url>http://erclk.about.com/?zi=23/Wq%5b]Ke'alaokamaile," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele)
Best Achievement in Album Annotation (Liner Notes)
- Fred Krauss, Puakea Nogelmeier, Keali'i Reichel for "[link url>http://erclk.about.com/?zi=23/Wq%5d]Ke'alaokamaile," Keali'i Reichel (Punahele)
