Na'auao leads Na Hoku balloting
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Staff Writer
Singer composer Sean Na'auao, logged seven nominations to top the ballot in the 2002 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.
An evening honoring recording achievement in Hawai'i • May 21 • Hawaii Ballroom, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel • Highlights: • 4:30 p.m. — no-host cocktails • 5:30 p.m. — technical awards, dinner service • 7:30 p.m. — awards ceremony • $95 general, $80 for Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts members • 235-9424 • Also: KFVE (Channel 5) will provide live coverage from 7:30 p.m.
His two releases, "Holomua" (Hawaiian) and "Progression" (reggae) display two sides of the artist and made him the leading contender in the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts' 25th anniversary competition May 21 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.
Na Hoku Hanohano Awards
But neither CD made the final cut for the Album of the Year category, nor is Na'auao nominated for the people's choice Favorite Entertainer of the Year.
Nonetheless, Na'auao is vying for male vocalist, reggae album and Hawaiian album. He also has song of the year and Hawaiian language nominations, and two haku mele prospects.
Other leading nominees include:
• The Mana'o Company, who reunited last year, with six nominations, including album of the year and group of the year.
• Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, with five, including female vocalist of the year and album of the year.
• Keahiwai, with four, including promising artist, group of the year and album of the year.
The late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole could earn a posthumous award with "Alone in IZ World." He is a finalist in three categories: male vocalist, album of the year and Hawaiian album.
Iz is one of eight acts amassing three nominations; the others are Na Leo Pilimehana, Fiji, Willie K, Teresa Bright, Herb "Ohta-san" Ohta, Cody Pueo Pata, 'Aha Punana Leo, and Nahele & Malaki Kanahele.
Wayne Harada is a voting member of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts. Reach him at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8067.
