Several Maui musicians were among the winners at the 2026 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards presented Saturday at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort.

Having earned eight Nā Hōkū nominations for his album “Ku’u Lei Lokelani,” Anthony Pfluke took home awards for contemporary acoustic album of the year and Hawaiian music video of the year for “E Ola Kākou Ē,” alongside Kamaka Camarillo. Pfluke also performed during the awards ceremony with Kala’e and Camarillo.

“It felt so good,” said Pfluke. “It was my first Hōkū, so hearing Billy V say, ‘This is his very first Hōkū award,’ it made the moment very real for me. I had put a lot of faith in myself and my process recording this album, and to serve the music and try to bring my dreams to life, they really came to life even deeper last night.”

He was especially pleased to receive the honor for Hawaiian music video of the year.

“Being able to go up there with Kamaka Camarillo, who I’ve learned from since I was 12 years old, and be up there with him, hit me even deeper,” he said.

A former lead singer with the multi-award-winning group Nā Wai ʻEhā, Kamalei Kawaʻa won Hawaiian music album of the year for “Mānaiakalani,” a collection that honored the people, places and moments that shaped his life.

“Our project was solely a Hawaiian music project with mele Hawaii and haku mele in the Hawaiian language, so winning that award meant the most to me, to be able to represent my Hawaiian music community,” Kawaʻa said.

His mother, Kumu Hula Luana Kawaʻa, and his wife, Cierra Kawaʻa, were recognized for liner notes. “They both worked on the liner notes, and that was the highlight of my whole night, especially my wife being recognized for her work,” he said. “She’s behind the scenes doing everything.”

With his brother Kamaehu Kawaʻa, he also contributed to “Mele Pūnana Leo,” a collection of 13 new mele for each Pūnana Leo campus, which received the award for compilation album of the year.

Kalaʻe Camarillo earned contemporary album of the year honors for “Drifting On Island Time.” The album featured “Sands of Old Lahaina,” his heartfelt tribute to the town that won song of the year, single of the year and music video of the year at the 2024 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.

“It felt real good, but I felt even better seeing Anthony and my brother win,” Camarillo said. “We were on stage getting ready to perform when my category ended up winning. To be able to go on and perform with both of them was pretty cool.”

Raised on Molokai, Izek won male vocalist of the year and alternative album of the year for his album “KŌWĀ.” He previously won a Nā Hōkū as co-writer of the 2018 song of the year, “Bamboo,” with Kimie Miner.

A favorite at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, Ekolu captured reggae album of the year for “Strictly Originals,” marking the group’s 12th Nā Hōkū award. The album featured standout tracks including “Whispered Promise,” “Sinners Prayer” and “Don’t Worry Just Dance.”

“It’s always a humbling feeling,” said Ekolu’s Lukela Keala. “We never take these awards for granted. We’re grateful to still be making music that people love after all these years and even more grateful to represent Maui. This award truly belongs to everyone who’s supported Ekolu along the way.”

Ekolu enjoyed success at the 2024 awards, when “Longevity” earned reggae album of the year and the band was named group of the year.

Jeff Peterson won his 15th Nā Hōkū award, winning instrumental composition for “Lauleʻa” from his album “Slack Key Serenade.” Accepting the honor, Peterson expressed gratitude to several of the kumu who helped shape his musical journey, including Keola Beamer, Ledward Kaapana and George Kahumoku and Sonny Lim.

The group Ei Nei, featuring Wailuku-born and raised Dane Fujiwara, was a big winner, earning group of the year, album of the year, favorite entertainer, island music album, single of year and song of the year for “Hawai’i Forever,” co-composed by Fujiwara.

Musicians from Maui County were nominated in 22 different categories.