Carlson Kamaka Kà «kona, III (born 1978 in Maui, Hawaii), otherwise simply known as Kamaka Kà «kona, is an American musician, vocalist, songwriter, record producer, kumu hula (hula teacher), and educator.
In 2013, after years of recording, Kà «kona, released his debut album, Hanu ûAûala. The album later went on to earn the Male Vocalist of the Year and the Most Promising Artist awards at the 2014 NàHà Âkà « Hanohano Awards. Kà «kona is one of only six Hawaiian musicians to be awarded both awards on a debut music album.
The success of Hanu ûAûala earned a nomination in the 57th Annual Grammy Awards for the Best Regional Roots Music Album. At the time, Kà «kona was the only Hawaiian music artist nominated for the category. Due to the merger of multiple regional roots music categories into the Best Regional Roots Music Award in 2011, Hanu ûAûala faced increasing odds in the category historically dominated by Louisiana Cajun music. The album ultimately did not win the Grammy Award.
In 2017, Kà «kona released his second album, ûAla Anuhea, featuring a wonderful array of newly composed mele. The album was mixed and recorded by Dave Tucciarone of Seventh Wave Studio. Again, Kà «kona was awarded the Male Vocalist of the Year award at the 2018 NàHà Âkà « Hanohano Awards.
Kamaka was five when his mother signed him up for hula lessons, and it quickly became evident that he had a knack for it. It wasnâÂÂt long before he caught the eye of hula master Mae KamÃÂmalu Klein, who invited Kamaka to start the âÂÂuniki (graduation) process at nineteen â something of a rarity in hula.
In 2003, after a successful ûuniki process, Kà «kona opened his own hula hÃÂlau, HÃÂlau O Ka Hanu Lehua in Waikapu, Maui. The hÃÂlau accepts members of all ages. HÃÂlau O ka Hanu Lehua have made several appearances at hula festivals across Hawaiûi and Japan. As early as 2007, HÃÂlau o Ka Hanu Lehua have been making regular appearances at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, Hawaii.
The NàHà Âkà « Hanohano Awards, also known as the "Hà Âkà « Awards", are Hawaii's equivalent to the Grammy Awards. The awards are administered by the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) and are awarded to the recording artists who exemplify the best work in their class.
|- ! scope="row" | 2021 | KahekeonÃÂpua | Hawaiian Music Album of the Year | |- ! scope="row" | 2021 | KahekeonÃÂpua | Hawaiian Language Performance | |- ! scope="row" | 2021 | KahekeonÃÂpua | Engineering Award - Hawaiian | |- ! scope="row" | 2021 | KahekeonÃÂpua | Album of the Year | |- ! scope="row" | 2021 | KahekeonÃÂpua | Male Vocalist of the Year | |- ! scope="row" | 2018 | ûAla Anuhea | Male Vocalist of the Year | |- ! scope="row" |2014 |Hanu ûAûala |Male Vocalist of the Year | |- ! scope="row" |2014 |Hanu ûAûala |Most Promising Artist | |-
|- ! scope="row" | 2014 | Hanu ûAûala | Best Regional Roots | |-