Kenneth Makuakāne is recognized as the producer of producers of Hawaiian music. He has recorded many groups, including Nā Leo Pilimehana, HAPA, Amy Hānaiali’i Gilliom, Obrian Eselu, Raiatea Helm and the Pandanus Club. To date, Kenneth has produced over two hundred albums, many of which have become successful albums for their record companies.
As a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Makuakāne has been on hundreds of recording projects. He has produced many hallmark albums for the prestigious educational institution Kamehameha Schools; the historical Baibala Hemolele project which created an audio library of the first written document in Hawaiian language back in 1839; and the groundbreaking Disney CD music project where he was chosen to produce the hit Disney classics such as “When You Wish Upon A Star”, “Theme from Pochahontas” and others with a Hawaiian music bed, translated and sung in the Hawaiian language.
A prolific songwriter of over one thousand five hundred songs, Kenneth’s compositions have been recorded by local artists like the Brothers Cazimero, Nā Leo Pilimehana, Kapena, the Pandanus Club, Amy Hānaiali‘i Gilliom, Loyal Garner and Gary Haleamau, as well as international artists from Japan like Yuri Chika and Yuki Miyamae.
His songs have even been performed many times over at the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, Hawai‘i’s Olympics of Hula. His music has been on major films like “Honeymoon In Las Vegas”, “Ka‘iulani” and “Parent Trap In Paradise.”
Kenneth Makuakāne has received more than one hundred and eighty nominations and garnered a total of 24 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the Hawaii equivalent of the Grammy Awards, including Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, Group of the Year, Religious Album of the Year, and Hawaiian Album of the Year. Makuakāne is the recent recipient of the prestigious Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts 2015 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Awards. He also won six Big Island Music Awards. He has been recognized in the National Registry of Who’s Who.
On October 13, 2023, Kenneth received the ʻŌʻō Award from the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce at their 46th annual banquet. This organization honors Native Hawaiians who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the Native Hawaiian community.
AWARDS
2023 Anthology of the Year – Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Huliau”
2023 Group of the Year – Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, Aʻeaʻe – “Aʻeaʻe”
2023 Hawaiian EP of the Year – Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, Aʻeaʻe – “Aʻeaʻe”
2021 Religious Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Nā Halelū”
2020 Instrumental Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Kauaheahe”
2020 Hawaiian EP of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Hiki Mai E Ka Lā”
2019 Religious Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Nā Mele Pule”
2018 Religious Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Simply For Ke Akua”
2017 Producerʻs Award – Compilation Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Disney – Mele from Auntieʻs Beach House, Aulani
2015 Lifetime Achievement Award – Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award
2012 Kamehameha Schools 125th Anniversary Song Contest – co-wrote the winning composition for senior women
2012 Producer’s Award – Anthology Album – Nā Hōkū Awards – Pandanus Club – Kekumuwai
2007 Producers’ Award – Compilation Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Hōkūle’a – “The Legacy”
2006 Inducted into the Kamehameha Schools Alumni Hall of Fame Gallery
2004 Producers’ Award – Compilation Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kamehameha School – “I Mua E Nā Poki‘i” ʻ
2001 Producers’ Award – Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Nā Leo – “A Pocketful of Paradise”
2000 Producers’ Award – Anthology Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Nā Leo – “Anthology II”
2000 Song of the Year “I Miss You My Hawai‘i” – Nā Hōkū Award, Nā Leo – “I Miss You My Hawai‘i”
1999 Producers’ Award – Compilation Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Life Foundation – “Lifesongs”
1999 Inducted into National Registry of Who’s Who
1997 Producers’ Award – Anthology Album – Nā Hōkū Awards, Nā Leo – “Anthology I”
1996 Producers’ Award – Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Nā Leo – “Flying With Angels”
1992 Religious Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Kenneth Makuakāne – “Conversations With My Heart”
1990 Producer of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Pandanus Club –“Hō‘ike”
1990 Group of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Pandanus Club –“Hō‘ike”
1990 Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Pandanus Club –“Hō‘ike”
1990 Traditional Hawaiian Album of the Year – Nā Hōkū Awards, Pandanus Club –“Hō‘ike”
1990 Composer of the Year – Kamehameha Schools Award
1987 Kamehameha Schools Centennial Song Contest – co-wrote the winning composition for senior coed