Congratulations to all the winners of the
2020 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards
From the comfort of home, this year’s nominees and fans honored Hawai‘i’s biggest night in music and entertainers with 37 awards, pre-show music videos, and 17 pre-recorded performances from across the pae ‘āina and continent.
Josh Tatofi was the fan favorite walking away Favorite Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Island Music Album of the Year, and Hawaiian Single of the Year. The Female Vocalist of the Year award was presented to Natalie Ai Kamauu, Song of the Year to Kū Ha‘aheo e Ku‘u Hawai‘i by Various Artists from Kuha‘o Maunakea, and Nā Wai ‘Ehā for Group of the Year. Ei Nei won most promising artist of the year.
Re-Watch Here
The 2020 Winners & Finalists
21°N 158°W by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
Ka Lei Moana by Kūpaoa (Hulu Kūpuna Productions)
Kalawaiʻanui by Amy Hanaialiʻi (Ua Records)
Lovely Sunrise by Nā Wai ʻEha (NWE Records)
Ua Kui A Lawa by Josh Tatofi (90211000) – Mea Lanakila
Higher by Kamuela Kahoano (Green Light Go HI Productions) – Mea Lanakila
Ke Alana by Kaʻimi Hananoʻeau. (Loihi Inc)
Lanaʻi On My Mind by Hawaiian Time (Hawaiian Time 0001)
Steel Paradise by Joel Katz & Greg diPiazza (No Label)
Written by Ana Vee (Ana Vee)
Hiki Mai E Ka La by Kenneth Makuakane (Makuakane Music) – Mea Lanakila
I Luna by Leomana (Leomana Music)
Ka Mea ʻUao by Malulani (Malulani Music)
Desecration by Ekolu (Waiehu Records) – Mea Lanakila
Grandpa by Anuhea (Anuhea Jams / 12)
My Hawaiʻi by The Green feat. Sean Naʻauao, Kaumakaiwa, Kumu Hina (Easy Star Records)
Take Aloha With You by Kupaoa (Hulu Kupuna)
You are My Sunshine (This Little Light of Mine) by Kimie Miner (Haku Records)
Ke Alii by Kahalawai (no label)
Kuu Lei Makamae by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
Lilinoe by Waipuna (Poki Records)
Melia by Josh Tatofi (90211000) – Mea Lanakila
Waolani by Kupu Dalire-Naauao (Kupz Music)
Welo Mau Loa E Kuʻu Hae Hawaiʻi by Sean Naʻauao (Maliona Records)
Hawaii 78 – Song Across Hawaii by Mana Maoli Collective (no label) – Mea Lanakila
Hawaiian Lullaby by Josh Tatofi (Haku Records)
Let Me Down by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
Take Aloha With You by Kūpaoa (Hulu Kūpuna Productions)
You Are My Sunshine (This Little Light of Mine) by Kimie Miner (Haku Records)
Kalawaiʻanui by Amy Hanaialiʻi (Ua Records)
Ku Haʻaheo e Kuʻu Hawaiʻi by Various Artists (Kanaeokana) – Mea Lanakila
Kuʻu Lei Makamae by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
Mauna Kea Kuʻu Iwi Hilo by Amy Hanaialiʻi (Ua Records)
Melia by Josh Tatofi (90211000)
Cyrilʻs Mele by Jeff Peterson from Ka Nani O Ki Hoʻalu, The Beauty of Slack Key, Jeff Peterson (Peterson Productions) – Mea Lanakila
Daydream by Kenneth Makuakane from Kauaheahe, Daydream (Makuakane Music)
Leʻa Leʻa Wale by Lance Takamiya, from ʻElua: ʻUkulele & Slack Key Guitar, Abe Lagrimas, Jr. and Lance Takamiya (Pass Out Records)
My Friend by Joel Katz from A Beautiful Sound Of Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Joel Katz (no label)
Sherwoods by Kamuela Kahoano from Higher, Kamuela Kahoano (Green Light Go HI Productions)
For The Lahui by Josh Tatofi and Hinaleimoana Wong, from Ua Kui A Lawa, Josh Tatofi (90211000)
Ka Lei Moana by Puakea Nogelmeier and Kellen Paik, from Ka Lei Moana, Kūpaoa composers (Hulu Kpuna)
Kalawaiaʻanui by Amy Hanaialiʻi Gilliom and Kumu Micah Kamohoaliʻi, from Kalawaiʻanui, Amy Hanaialiʻi (Ua Records)
Ku Haʻaheo e Kuʻu Hawaiʻi by Hinaleimoana Wong, from Kuhaʻo Maunakea, Various Artists (Kanaeokana) – Mea Lanakila
Nani Piʻiholo by Carlson Kamaka Kukona III, from Kahalawai, Kahalawai (MyDaze Entertainment)
Amy Hanaialiʻi for Kalawaiʻanui (Ua Records)
Hawane Rios for Ku Kiaʻi Mauna Together We Rise (Religion Records A&C)
Karlie G for Karlie G Christmas (KGM Productions)
Maggie Herron for Renditions (Herron Song Records)
Natalie Ai Kamauu for 21°N 158°W (Keko Records) – Mea Lanakila
Izik for &Bougainvillea (Zeo Music)
Josh Tatofi for Ua Kui A Lawa (90211000) – Mea Lanakila
Kalaʻe Camarillo for Feel At Home (no label)
Kaulike Pescaia for Kuʻu Huakaʻi (no label).
Kupu Dalire-Naauao for Chasing Legacy (Kupz Music)
Ei Nei for Hui! (Ei Nei)
Ekolu for 20 Year Anniversary
Kūpaoa for Ka Lei Moana (Hulu Kūpuna Productions)
Nā Wai ʻEhā for Lovely Sunrise (NWE Records) – Mea Lanakila
The Green for Black & White (Easy Star Records)
Ei Nei for Hui! (Ei Nei) – Mea Lanakila
Hawane Rios for Ku Kiaʻi Mauna Together We Rise (Religion Records A&C)
Kamaka Camarillo for S.O.U.L. Songs of Unexpected Life (no label).
Kaulike Pescaia for Kuʻu Huakaʻi (no label)
Kuikawa for Ku I Ka Wa (Kuikawa Music)
&bougainvillea by Izik (Zeo Music) – Mea Lanakila
Belly Of The Whale by Ydine (anOtherEvolution)
Fanny Pack by The Barbarellatones, Robbie Quine & Joel Katz (no label)
Lainey and the 93 by Johnny Helm (no label)
Strum Along by Kaʻimi Hananoʻeau (Loihi Inc.)
20 Year Anniversary ʻTimelessʻ by Ekolu (Waiehu Records) – Mea Lanakila
A10 / Best of Anuhea by Anuhea (Anuhea Jams)
From These Shores by Various Artists (Aloha Got Soul)
Hoʻuluʻulu Momi by Kenneth Makuakane (Makuakane Music)
Sweet Memories by Ben Kaili (no label)
E Lei Hoʻi, E Liliʻuokalani by Various Artists (Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust)
Hawaiian Lullaby by Various Artists (Haku Records) – Mea Lanakila
Island Style ʻUkulele 3 by Various Artists (Neos Productions)
Kuhaʻo Maunakea by Various Artists (Kanaeokana)
Lei Nahonoapiʻilani by Various Artists (North Beach West Maui Benefit Fund)
Cassettes by Johnny Valentine (StudioValentineOneMusic)
Island Beyond the Stars by Pena Bu (Bu Roc Records)
Ku Kiaʻi Mauna Together We Rise by Hawane Rios (Religion Records A&C) – Mea Lanakila
Summer To Winter by Kolohe Kai (R K D Inc.)
WOT?! by Kamuela Kahoano (Green Light Go HI Productions)
D.K. Live at the Atherton by Duncan Kamakana (Moʻolelo Records)
Fab4on4Strings by BEAT-LELE (Beatlele Music)
Feel At Home by Kalaʻe Camarillo (no label) – Mea Lanakila
Take Me Home by Kaleo Phillips (Moʻolelo Hui Hana Keaka)
Time To Be by Marvin Tevaga (Siva Hawaii Inc.)
Hui! by Ei Nei (Ei Nei)
Kahalawai by Kahalawai (MyDaze Entertainment)
Kalawaiʻanui by Amy Hanaialiʻi (Ua Records)
Kuʻu Huakaʻi by Kaulike Pescaia (no label)
Lovely Sunrise by Nā Wai ʻEhā (NWE Records) – Mea Lanakila
Ka Nani O Ki Hoʻalu, The Beauty of Slack Key by Jeff Peterson (Peterson Productions) – Mea Lanakila
Kahakauila by Patrick Landeza and Ian OʻSullivan (Addison Street)
Renaissance Man by George Kahumoku, Jr. (Kealia Farms Records)
Kuleana by Thomas Iannucci (no label) – Mea Lanakila
Kupaʻa by Lou Dogg (Dubb City Productions)
Lofi Dreaming by Kowrites (808 KO Music)
Second Language by Illnomadic (Zenbu Records)
The Menehune Giant by Punahele (Zenbu Records)
Winter: A Sonic Adventure by Keola (Climbing Tree Records)
A Beautiful Sound Of Hawaiian Steel Guitar by Joel Katz (no label)
Electric Sky by Chris Stark (no label)
ʻElua: ʻUkulele & Slack Key Guitar by Abe Lagrimas, Jr. & Lance Takamiya (Pass Out Records)
IntoxiKA by IntoxiKA (no label)
John Valentine Presents Guitars of Hawaii Today, Vol. 5 by John Valentine (StudioValentineOneMusic)
Kauaheahe by Kenneth Makuakane (Makuakane Music) – Mea Lanakila
Six Fathoms Down by Peter deAquino (Peter D. LLC)
21°N 158°W by Natalie Ai Kamauu (Keko Records)
Inspired by Bobby Moderow Jr. (Lokahi Records)
Ka Lei Moana by Kūpaoa (Hulu Kūpuna)
Kahi Aloha by Ahumanu (no label)
Ua Kui A Lawa by Josh Tatofi (90211000) – Mea Lanakila
Lessons From Oliver by Reggie Padilla (no label)
Renditions by Maggie Herron (Herron Song Records) – Mea Lanakila
Sax & Steel-Hula Blues by Bill Noble and Dwight Tokumoto (MP364)
Come On Get Heavy: A Metal Tribute To The Partridge Family by Tin Idols (Tin Idol Productions)
III by Storm (Tin Idol Productions) – Mea Lanakila
Ominous New Dawn by Abysmia (Tin Idol Productions)
Live at the Atherton by Maryanne Ito (Aloha Got Soul)
Lovevol by Nick Kurosawa + Ohtoro (Zenbu Records)
Popolo Kid by Tre Tru (Island Mojo)
Rabbitt by Rabbitt (The Auxilary)
S.O.U.L. Songs of Unexpected Life by Kamaka Camarillo (no label) – Mea Lanakila
Best Yet by Inna Vision (Roots Musician Records)
Black & White by The Green (Easy Star Records)
Diamond In The Rough by Justin Phillips (Phat Bula Records)
Sense of Purpose by Maoli (Awong Entertainment) – Mea Lanakila
Story Teller by Ryan Hiraoka (Rubbah Slippah Productions LLC)
Himeni by Darrell Guy Aquino (Mana Records)
Hoʻonani Kakou Ia Ia by Kamehameha Schools Childrenʻs Chorus (no label) – Mea Lanakila
Ke Aupuni O Ka Lani by Kenneth Makuakane (Makuakane Music)
Scripture Songs by New Hope Oahu (Dream Label Group)
The Bicentennial Collection by Kawaiahaʻo Church Choir (KC2020)
After the Fact by Square Shapes (no label)
Cosmic Stowaway by Al Overton & Rick Robbins (NA)
Electric Junk by Jeff Dahl (Iwannabeahoople Records)
Forever and Forever by Beware The Bear (Audio Ramen)
Love and Lightning by Lightning Larry Dupio (no label) – Mea Lanakila
Josh Totofi – Mea Lanakila
Adjudicated Awards
He Lei Aloha No Nā Moʻopuna by Kawaikapu. (Kawaikapuokalani Hewett)
Hui! by Ei Nei (Ei Nei)
I Ka Wā by Kūikawā (Kūikawā Music)
Ke Aupuni O Ka Lani by Kenneth Makuakane. (KMM4012)
Kuʻu Huakai by Kaulike Pescaia (no label listed)
Lovely Sunrise by Nā Wai ʻEhā (NWE Records) – Mea Lanakila
Paʻa Mau by Kaniala Masoe (no label listed)
Aloha ʻĀina ʻOiaʻiʻo by Kainani Kahaunaele, from Kūhaʻo Maunakea, Various Artists (Kanaeokana)
Kū Haʻaheo e Kuʻu Hawaiʻi by Hinaleimoana Wong, from Kūhaʻo Maunakea, Various Artists (Kanaeokana)
Lei Ana Maunakea I Ke Aloha ʻOiaʻiʻo by Keola Donaghy and Leihuanani Kealiʻinohomoku from Lei Ana MaunakI Ke Aloha ʻOiaʻiʻo, Leihuanani Kealiʻinohomoku (ʻAʻaliʻi)
Nā Puʻuwai Haokila by Zachary Lum, from Kūhaʻo Maunakea, Various Artists (Kanaeokana) – Mea Lanakila
Pua Hau ʻUla by Kalikolīhau Paik and Kellen Paik, from Ka Lei Moana, Kūpaoa (Hulu Kūpuna Productions)
Dave Tucciarone for Inspired by Bobby Moderow, Jr. (Lokahi Records)
Glenn Awong for Sense of Purpose by Maoli (Awong Entertainment)
Kapena De Lima for Island Beyond the Stars by Pena Bu (Bu Roc Records) – Mea Lanakila
Kapena De Lima for Ua Kui A Lawa by Josh Tatofi (90211000)
Noah Cronin for Still Kickinʻ by Landon McNamara (Sea Major Seven)
Bob St. John for Island Style ʻUkulele 3 by Various Artists (Neos Productions) – Mea Lanakila
Joseph Bomarrito for Legacy The Brown Family by Kevin Brown, Ikaika Brown & Ka Ena Brown (Misty Waters)
Michael Casil and Wailau Ryder for Paʻa Mau by Kaniala Masoe (no label)
Michael Casil for Kahalawai by Kahalawai (My Daze Entertainment)
Michael Grande for Lovely Sunrise by Nā Wai ʻEhā (NWE)
Be Still My Heart by Hiliu (Hiliu Music)
Kaʻapuni by Kaulana (Kaulana Entertainment) – Mea Lanakila
Kona Street by Ukulele Swing Trio (JB Music)
Macro Lei Jazz by Macro Lei Jazz (Breeze and Tone Level)
Ukulele Collection Dragon Quest by Ryo Natoyama (King Records)
Rylee Anuhea Jenkins and Colleen Wilcox for A10 / Best of Anuhea by Anuhea (Anuhea Jams)
Johnny Valentine for Cassettes by Johnny Valentine (StudioValentineOneMusic)
Zachary Manzano for Himeni by Darrell Guy Aquino (Mana)
Wailani Artates and Kumu Micah Kamohoaliʻi for Kalawaiʻanui by Amy Hanaialiʻi (Ua Records) – Mea Lanakila
Daryl Fujiwara for Lovely Sunrise by Nā Wai ʻEhā (NWE Records)
Moon Kauakahi for E Lei Hoʻi, E Liliʻuokalani by Various Artists (Queen Liliʻuokalani Trust)
Christ Stark for Electric Sky by Chris Stark (no label)
Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett for He Lei Aloha No Nā Moʻopuna by Kawaikapu (Kawaikapuokalani Hewett)
Dane Fujiwara, Grant Kono, and Ekolu Chang for Hui! By Ei Nei (Ei Nei)
Kalikolīhau Paik and Puakea Nogelmeier for Ka Lei Moana by Kūpaoa (Hulu Kūpuna Productions) – Mea Lanakila
Kamaoli Kuwada, Zachary Lum, Chad Takatsugi for Kūhaʻo Maunakea by Various Artists (Kanaeokana)
Mahalo to this year’s sponsors for their unwavering commitment
to Hawai‘i’s recording industry:
Information + Sponsorships
Please contact HARA for more information or to request a sponsorship package.