To honor and preserve our nation’s diverse cultural heritage, the National Endowment for the Arts annually awards up to eight NEA National Heritage Fellowships to master folk and traditional artists. These fellowships recognize lifetime achievement, artistic excellence, and contributions to our nation’s traditional arts heritage.
The National Heritage Fellowships were established in 1982. To date, 13 artists in Hawaiian music and hula have been nationally recognized. The links will take you to the artist profile page on the NEA website.
2017: Cyril Pahinui, slack key guitarist
2011: Ledward Kaʻapana, ʻukulele and slack key guitarist
2007: Eddie Kamae, Hawaiian musician, composer, filmmaker
2006: George Naʻope, kumu hula
2005: James Kaʻupena Wong, chanter
2000: Genoa Keawe, Hawaiian singer
1996: Solomon & Richard Hoʻopiʻi, Hawaiian falsetto singers
1993: Nalani Kanakaʻole & Pualani Kanakaʻole Kanahele, kumu hula
1988: Clyde “Kindy” Sproat, Hawaiian cowboy singer
Hawaiian Music for Listening Pleasure 