Molokai’s Raiatea Helm triumphed as the major winner at the 47th Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards ceremony in Honolulu on Saturday, presented by the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts.

Celebrating Hawaiian music and poetry from the late 19th and early 20th century, her marvelous album “A Legacy Of Hawaiian Song & String Volume One,” won 7 awards including Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Hawaiian Music Album of the Year, Hawaiian Language Performance, Haku Mele (for composer Kainani Kahaunaele), Hawaiian Liner Notes (Noah Haʻalilio Solomon), and Hawaiian Engineering (for Dave Tucciarone).

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing our culture and history through song,” said Helm. “The purpose of ‘A Legacy of Hawaiian Song & String’ is to inspire our people here and afar and to be proud of their heritage. It is so rich. Mahalo to all my peers and all who have supported the journey.”

“Legacy” included the first Hawaiian national anthem, “He Mele Lahui Hawaii,” by H.R.H. Lili’uokalani, along with “Moani Ke ‘Ala” by Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku, and “Lanakila Kawaihau” by the Royal Hawaiian Band’s Mekia Kealakai.

In the liner notes, Solomon wrote: “Let us pause a moment to recognize the singularity of this album, exceptional in all senses of the word. It is remarkably rare that we are offered a musical contribution of such pristine vocals, superb poetry, and impeccable musicianship.”

Helm’s previous albums “Far Away Heaven,” “Sweet and Lovely,” “Hawaiian Blossom,” “He Leo Huali, A Pure Voice,” have all been distinguished with Hōkū awards.

Among Maui winners, a moving tribute to Lahaina won Kihei-born musician Kala’e Camarillo three awards, Song of the Year, Single of the Year, and Music Video for “Sands of Old Lahaina.” Maui’s Nikki Miyamoto directed the winning video.

“It’s glory to God because I know the lyrics and the melody came from him,” Camarillo said. “He put it on my heart to write that and it was really good to share with a lot of people. So any way to continue to get the song out there, and winning Hōkū awards helps doing that.”

Camarillo said, “I wrote it two days after the fire. In minutes, I had the melody and lyrics. It was God sent.” In 2023, he won EP of the Year for “Child of These Islands” and Christmas Single for “It’s Christmas Time Again.”

A frequent Hōkū winner, Maui’s band Ekolu, scored once again with their latest “Longevity” recording winning Group of the Year and Reggae Album of the Year. The veteran Maui group was also nominated for Favorite Entertainer. “We are honored and feel so blessed to represent Maui,” Ekolu’s lead vocalist Lukela Keala said. “All we strive to do is make our ohana proud and Maui proud.” Some of “Longevity’s” highlights included “Meet Me Tonight,” “Maururu Roa Tahiti,” and their reggae spin on Perfect Stranger’s country hit “You Have the Right to Remain Silent.” Back in 2021, Keala won Male Vocalist and Island Music Album for his debut solo album.

Another recurring Hoku winner, Jeff Peterson, won the Hawaiian Slack Key Album of the Year award for his Maui tribute, “Paniolo Son.” Peterson explained that “Paniolo Son” “is a tribute to my father who passed away a few years ago. The painting of him on the cover was out in Kaupo by the brilliant upcountry Maui artist Jan Kazspryski. I feel so fortunate to be able to continue to perform and release recordings and am very grateful for the recognition.”

Peterson had also been nominated for his instrumental “You Will Thrive,” which he said was dedicated “to ‘ohana, friends, and the community on Maui after the wildfires last year.” He was a featured guitar player on Helm’s “Legacy” album.

Maui Kumu Hula Keali’i Reichel and Cody Pueo Pata won the award for Hawaiian Music Video of the Year for “He Ho’oheno No ‘E’eka,” which was created for Hawaiian Airlines.

KPOA’s program director Shane “Hawaiian Home Boy” Kahalehau won Most Promising Artist for his debut album “Kaonohiokālā.” He had also received nominations for Male Vocalist and EP.

“I’ve been in the music business for almost 30 years now,” said Kahalehau. “My music career was never for accolades and for fame, but it really feels good to be recognized by your peers and those who make up Hawaiian music and the Hawaiian music industry.”

The winning 6-song EP included Ellen Wright Prendergas’ famous protest song “Kaulana Nā Pua” (Famous Are The Flowers), about the takeover of the Hawaiian Kingdom, and the inspirational prayer “Isaiah 40:31,” sung in English and Hawaiian.

The University of Hawaii Maui College’s Keola Donaghy appeared on stage as a backing member of Sandemonium, which won Contemporary Album for “A Tribute To Linda Ronstadt.”

Raised on Maui, Ka’imi Hanano’eau won Instrumental Album of the Year for “He Aha Keia,” which featured rocking versions of some classic songs. And Lance D. Collins was awarded a Hōkū for English Liner Notes for the compilation “Kāwili 2,” from the Hawai’i Institute for Philippine Studies.