HONOLULU (HI Now) - The Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards return on June 21, 2025, and now’s your chance to be part of the celebration! Tickets are on sale now through June 5, so don’t wait—secure your seat for an unforgettable evening honoring Hawai’i’s finest musical talent.
This year’s awards carry special meaning as we celebrate one of Hawai’i’s most enduring musical figures: Kelly DeLima, better known to fans across the islands as Kelly Boy of Kapena. A Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner since 1988, Kelly Boy will be recognized this year with one of the highest honors in the local music industry—a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts.
While the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards honor the best in contemporary Hawaiian music each summer, the Lifetime Achievement Awards—typically presented later in the year—shine a light on those who have dedicated their lives to uplifting Hawai’i’s musical heritage. This year’s honorees include a lineup of legendary names: the Edith Kanaka’ole Foundation, Bruddah Waltah ʻAipolani, Danny and Alan Akaka, Andy Bumatai, David Kauahikaua, Pandanus Club, and the Kanaka’ole Sisters.
Kelly Boy’s career spans over four decades, and this year marks a major milestone: 40 years with Kapena. As the only original member still performing, he now shares the stage with the next generations—his son, daughter, and grandson—making Kapena a true ʻohana band. Their music continues to inspire, entertain, and connect people across generations.
Don’t miss this incredible night of recognition, music, and aloha. Get your tickets to the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards by visiting www.harahawaii.com. Deadline to purchase is June 5, 2025. Join us on June 21 and help celebrate the voices and visionaries that define Hawai’i’s sound.
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