A singer-songwriter from Kauaʻi now based in Nashville has won Best Pop Album at the Josie Music Awards, a win for Hawaiʻi's independent music scene.

• The Josie Music Awards honor artists without major label or publishing deals and drew more than 100,000 submissions this year.
• The winning album took shape over a decade, with parts written and recorded at a studio on Kauaʻi's north shore.
• Early influences came from a songwriter mother who led worship at church, family jam sessions, and a Hawaiʻi songwriting festival.
• Listeners in Nashville say they hear island sound in the music even though it was never put there on purpose.

Outlook: More songs and live shows are planned, with a longer-term hope of returning to Kauaʻi to mentor young local musicians.