On the Eve of the Hōkū Awards-Congrats To All
With the 48th Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards happening tomorrow night, I’ve been thinking about how far the ʻukulele community has come. While looking through some old photos, I came across one of me standing next to Jake Shimabukuro, both of us holding the Hōkū award for the first Pure Heart album — a project I was fortunate to be a part of.A throwback to a time filled with inspiration, collaboration, and a deep love for local music.
That album captured something special — not just in the music, but in the energy and intention behind it. I still feel incredibly lucky to have played a small role in that journey, and I’m always grateful for the experience.
Celebrating This Year’s Finalists
Fast forward to today, and it’s amazing to see so many talented artists carrying the torch forward. This year’s nominees in the ʻukulele and instrumental categories — folks like Kris Fuchigami, Brittni Paiva, and Jake (this time alongside Mick Fleetwood) — are doing incredible work blending tradition with innovation.
I also want to give a special shoutout to the Kapena School of Music, which is up for two awards:
- EP of the Year and
- Most Promising Artist of the Year for Play Loud, Vol. 1.
As someone who teaches at Kapena, I’m especially proud to see some of my own students featured on that recording. It’s moments like this that remind me why teaching and music go hand in hand — lifting up the next generation of artists and helping them find their voice.
To all the nominees: mahalo for inspiring us. Wishing you a beautiful night filled with aloha and celebration.