Na Hoku Hanohano Awards

He launched the first awards with the support of the owner of the radio station Sydney Grayson, and his fellow DJs Kimo Kahoʻāno and Jacqueline “Skylark” Rossetti.

[3] The award winners are currently selected by the voting members of the non-profit Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts, which was founded in 1982.

Eligibility in most of the award's categories is restricted to Hawaii resident artists and other industry professional, though non-Hawaii U.S. residents are eligible in the Hawaiian, Island Music, Ukulele, Slack Key, Haku Mele, and Hawaiian Language Performance categories.

Entrants must complete an online or downloadable entry form and submit copies of the releases to the Academy by that date.

The top five vote-getters are tabulated, and the selection committee creates a final ballot, which is also sent to regular members, usually in April.