HONOLULU - Two individual Maui artists and one Maui group took home 2012 Na Hoku Hanohano awards Sunday night at the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts awards held at the Hawai'i Convention Center on Oahu.
Wailuku resident John Ioane Keanaaina Jr. won in the Extended Play Release of the Year category for his album "Na Mele o Ioane Keanaaina." He was also nominated for the Most Promising Artist of the Year.
Longtime Maui musician Willie K won the Rock Album of the Year award for "Warehouse Blues," beating out a Maui band, The Throwdowns, whom Willie K gave kudos to during his acceptance speech.
Maui band Ekolu took home Reggae Album of the Year for "Simply for Love."
Big Island artist Kuana Torres Kahele was a big solo winner Sunday night, taking home six prizes. He is a founding member of the award-winning duo Na Palapalai.
