Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Hilo solo artist Mark Yamanaka made a grand entrance into the Hawaiian music world Sunday evening when he scooped up four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in Honolulu.

Yamanaka won Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Most Promising Artist and Song of the Year.

His name goes into the record books alongside Willie K and Kealii Reichel. Those two stars also were honored with the album, male vocalist and most promising awards for their debut albums. Willie K in 1992; Reichel in 1995.

Yamanaka’s album is titled “Lei Pua Kenikeni” and the single is “Kaleoonalani,” dedicated to his daughter.

— Find out more:
www.reverbnation.com/markyamanaka

2011 Na Hoku Award Winners:

* Most Promising Artist: Mark Yamanaka, “Lei Pua Kenikeni” (Hulu Kupuna)

* Female Vocalist of the Year: Napua Makua, “Mohalu” (Pihana)

* Male Vocalist of the Year: Mark Yamanaka, “Lei Pua Kenikeni” (Hulu Kupuna)

* Group of the Year: KuMZ, “On the Summit” (Kauakoko Foundation)

* Christmas Album: “Willie Wonderland,” Willie K (Island Soul)

* Album of the Year (to artist and producers): “Lei Pua Kenikeni,” Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna) (Hulu Kupuna Productions, LLC and Kale Chang, producers)

* Song of the Year (composer’s award): “Kaleoonalani,” Mark Yamanaka, from “Lei Pua Kenikeni,” Mark Yamanaka (Hulu Kupuna)

* Single of the Year: “He Lei Kaulana,” Na Palapalai (Hulu Kupuna)

* EP of the Year: “Solo Ukulele: The King of Pop,” Abe Lagrimas Jr. & Friends (Pass Out)

* Anthology of the Year (producer’s award): “The Best of Na Palapalai,” Na Palapalai (Koops 2), Shawn Pimental, producer

* Compilation of the Year (producer’s award): “Kona,” various artists (Ua Mau), Dave Tucciarone, producer

* Contemporary Album of the Year: “Forevermore,” Ben Vegas & Maila Gibson (no label)

* Hawaiian Album of the Year: “Mohalu,” Napua Makua (Pihana)

* Instrumental Album of the Year: “‘Ukulele Nahenahe,” Herb Ohta Jr. (Lele)

* Island Music Album of the Year: “Amy Hanaialii and Slack Key Masters of Hawaii,” Amy Hanaialii and Slack Key Masters of Hawaii (Peterson)

* Jazz Album of the Year: “Django Would Go,” Hot Club of Hulaville (Hulaville)

* R&B/Hip Hop:”Coconut Wireless” Kepa Kruse (Petroglyph)

* Reggae Album: “The Green,” The Green (SheeHandsomeDevil)

* Religious Album: “Somewhere Up Ahead – Gospel Hymns of Hawaii, Vol. II,” Ata Damasco (Ululoa)

* Rock Album: “Stream Dreams,” Kamuela Kahoano (Green Light Go/Kahoano)

* Slack Key Album: “Play With Me Papa,” John Keawe (Homestead)

* Graphics: Wailani Artates, for “Mohalu,” Napua Makua (Pihana)

* Liner Notes: Puakea Nogelmeier, Kalikolihau Hannahs-Paik and Kellen Paik, for “English Rose,” Kupaoa (Hulu Kupuna)

* Favorite Entertainer (by public vote): Napua Makua Adjudicated Awards:

* Haku Mele (composer’s award for first-time recorded Hawaiian-language song or chant): “‘Ohai Ula,” by Kainani Kahaunaele, from “‘Ohai Ula,” Kainani Kahaunaele (Koops 2)

* Hawaiian Language Performance: Kainani Kahaunaele, “‘Ohai Ula” (Koops2)

* Engineering: Bryan Sanchez and Dave Tucciarone, for “Hawaiian Girls,” TTYM-Talk To You Music (TTYM) Special Awards: