HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts has announced several honorees and finalists ahead of the 2026 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.
This year’s Legacy Awards will be presented posthumously to Abigail Laau and David John “DJ” Pratt of the group Kalapana.
The organization also announced its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients:
Henry Kapono KaaihueLedward KaapanaKealii ReichelNa Leo PilimehanaLeon & Malia
The Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented in November 2026 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Monarch Ballroom.
Final ballot nominees for Album of the Year were also revealed:
Mele Punana Leo — Kahuli Leo LeʻaKuu Lei Lokelani — Anthony PflukeEi Nei, Look At Us — Ei NeiManaiakalani — Kamalei KawaʻaStrictly Originals — EkoluDrifting On Island Time — Kalae Camarillo.
The full list of final ballot nominees for the 2026 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards will be released Wednesday, May 13.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for July 11 at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort’s Hawaii Ballroom.
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