1. A method for tailored compiler optimization, comprising: analyzing first performance criteria for each of a plurality of kernels in an application program; identifying selected kernels of the plurality of kernels to extract from the application program in accordance with the analyzed first performance criteria; extracting the selected kernels from the application program; performance tuning the selected kernels to determine a tailored optimization strategy for each of the selected kernels, the tailored optimization strategy different than a default optimization strategy of a compiler for each of the selected kernels; and annotating, using a computer, the application program after the selected kernels have been extracted and performance tuned to identify the tailored optimization strategy determined for each of the selected kernels; wherein the tailored optimization strategy for each of the selected kernels is in accordance with second performance criteria.