Maui kumu hula and composers Keali‘i Reichel and Cody Pueo Pata are up for multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for their work on the album “Ka Haku Mele,” which features 12 new Hawaiian language compositions. Photos courtesy of Kahuli Leo Le‘a
A memorable album that celebrated 20 years of the Richard Ho’opi’i Leo Ki’eki’e Falsetto Contest on Maui, “Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1,” was honored with four nominations for the 2023 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, one of several albums and artists with Maui ties who are up for awards this year.
Along with Album of the Year, it was nominated for Compilation of the Year, Liner Notes by Kumu Cody Pueo Pata and Hawaiian Engineer for Michael Casil.
The falsetto collection featured familiar Hawaiian mele sung by past champions, including Pomaika’i Krueger (2009), Po’okela Wood (2010), Ezra Kau’i Krueger (2011), Joshua No’eau Kalima (2012), Micah Hoapili DeAguiar (2013), Grant Kaimana Kono (2014), Kamalei Kawa’a (2015), Gregory Kahikina Juan (2016), Kason Gomes (2017) and Kama’ehu Kawa’a (2021).
It was produced by Daryl Fujiwara and Wailau Ryder.
“Our goal was to help amplify the beautiful falsetto sounds in the islands,” said Fujiwara. “I wanted to create a ‘calling card’ of sorts, sharing the talents of our champions with the world. This album covered champions from 2009 and above because the early set of 2008 were given the opportunity to record with Hula Records. The goal is to give these rising artists more opportunities and of course keep the traditions of Richard Ho’opi’i alive.”
Cody Pueo Pata Photos courtesy of Kahuli Leo Le‘a
The album was released by Kimie Miner’s Haku Records.
“I want to say mahalo to Kimie Miner for signing our project to her label and helping usher us through,” Fujiwara added. “Our vision aligns so beautifully.”
Also in the running for Album of the Year is the innovative collection, “Ka Haku Mele,” which included Maui Kumu Hula Keali’i Reichel and Pata. It earned five nominations, including Album of the Year, Haku Mele for both Pata’s “Kahalaoweke” and Reichel’s “Nani Wale ‘o Pi’iholo,” Compilation Album and Hawaiian Engineering. Featuring all original compositions, it was created as part of a movement to elevate and enhance Hawaiian language composition. Pata was also nominated for Hawaiian Single for “Paukukalo,” a collaboration with Kamalei Kawa’a of Na Wai ‘Eha.
“It’s an honor and pleasure to be nominated alongside the brilliant Kumu Hula, ‘Haku Mele’ and author Cody Pueo Pata,” said Reichel. “I’m so happy producer Zach Lum brought us together for this very special project.”
Receiving four nominations were Maui’s Tarvin Makia and Keola Donaghy, who released “A’ea’e,” with Kenneth Makuakane and Jeff Dayton. The group’s debut album earned them nominations for Group of the Year, Hawaiian EP of the Year, Hawaiian Single for “Aia I Kilauea (‘A Mai)” and Hawaiian Engineering for Joel Katz.
Longtime Maui musicians Tarvin Makia (left) and Keola Donaghy have been nominated for four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards along with renowned Hawaiian music composer/producer Kenneth Makuakane and veteran Nashville musician Jeff Dayton for the debut EP of their new group, A‘ea‘e. Deanna Kamake‘e‘aina Reece photo
“It’s always a thrill to get peer recognition in the industry,” said Donaghy. “I always wanted to do something taking our material in Hawaiian and do a more contemporary styling. I’ve known Tarvin for 45 years and Ken for 25 and Jeff for about 12, and I thought this might make a decent group.”
Multiple Grammy winner Kalani Pe’a was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, Contemporary Album for “Purple Hawaiian Christmas” and Song of the Year for “Wrapped In A Bow.” He was also a featured performer on “Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1.”
“I’m grateful to be nominated in four categories,” said Pe’a. “I am so honored to be a vessel and an instrument to carry the tradition and modern teachings of my kupuna through Hawaiian language, music, education, and arts. It is my kuleana to carry this torch.”
Also nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, Kala’e Camarillo received two other nominations for his six-track recording “Child of These Islands” — EP of the Year and Song of the Year for “Old Kihei.” He was also nominated for Christmas Single for “It’s Christmas Time Again.”
“I’m super grateful,” said Camarillo. “I’m grateful to be recognized in the big categories.”
A reminiscence about growing up in his birthplace, “Old Kihei” was “recorded with Robi Kahakalau. It’s the place where me and Robi met and where I was born and raised.”
He added that his Christmas song, “I wrote with Tarvin Makia, who is also from Kihei.” In 2020, Camarillo won a Hoku for Contemporary Acoustic Album for “Feel at Home.”
His brother, Kamaka Camarillo, was nominated for a Hoku for Single of the Year for “Na Iwi,” which was composed as a tribute to their grandfather.
The third Maui musician nominated this year for Male Vocalist, Kalani Miles, is up for his album “He Mele No Papa Too, More Songs For Dad,” which was also nominated for Hawaiian EP. Performing as a duo with Gomes, as Hoaka, Miles earned nominations for Group of the Year and Island Music Album for “Kalai Pohaku.” Their songs included “Under a Maui Moon” and “Lahaina Luna.”
Besides his nomination for Hawaiian Engineering on “Hawaiian Falsetto Vol. 1,” Casil was also nominated for engineering the album “I Le’a” by Keauhou and Pe’a’s “Purple Hawaiian Christmas.”
In the Hawaiian Music Video category, Institute Of Hawaiian Music graduates Namaka Cosma and Gerilyn Hewahewa are nominated for “Hanohano ‘o Maui Nui A Kama/Ho’oheno A’o Pi’ilani.”
Veteran Maui musician Jimmy C was nominated for Jazz Album for “From My Heart.” It featured covers of classic jazz tunes like “Pennies from Heaven” and “Almost Like Being in Love.”
Maui-based musician Paul West is up for Rock Album of the Year for “Eight Palms Ranch.” West is a regular performer at the House of Fleetwood.
Molokai’s Jeremiah Kaholoaa received the Reggae Album nomination for “Better Days.” And Ka’imi Hanano’eau’s composition “Anakala” was nominated for Instrumental Composition.
The 2023 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards will be at the Hawaii Theatre on July 1.
Cody Pueo Pata Photos courtesy of Kahuli Leo Le‘a 
Maui kumu hula and composers Keali‘i Reichel and Cody Pueo Pata are up for multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for their work on the album “Ka Haku Mele,” which features 12 new Hawaiian language compositions. Photos courtesy of Kahuli Leo Le‘a 
Longtime Maui musicians Tarvin Makia (left) and Keola Donaghy have been nominated for four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards along with renowned Hawaiian music composer/producer Kenneth Makuakane and veteran Nashville musician Jeff Dayton for the debut EP of their new group, A‘ea‘e. Deanna Kamake‘e‘aina Reece photoToday's breaking news and more in your inbox
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