Grammy Award winning icon Cyril Pahinui. - Photo: Courtesy of Chelle Pahinui

Grammy Greatness:
The Winner is …
Hawaiian Music

If demand is great enough, a category for Hawaiian vocal music could be a possibility

By Liza Simon | Public Affairs Specialist

Out of 50 Hawaiian albums entered for national Grammy consideration, the five chosen nominees comprise three selections by instrumentalists and two by vocalists. This raises the likelihood that the winner of the Best Hawaiian Music Album at the 50th annual Grammy Awards Feb. 10 will once again be devoid of 'ōlelo Hawai'i – an outcome that has persisted since the first Hawaiian music Grammy was awarded four years ago.

The trio of instrumental albums are all kīhō'alu style: Ka Hikina O Ka Hau by Keola Beamer, Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar by various artists and He'eia by Cyril Pahinui. The two vocalist selections are Hawaiiana by Tia Carrere and Hawaiian Blossom by Raiatea Helm. While all these artists have ardent followings, local mele fans have cited the dominance of slack key Grammy finalists in wondering if the Grammy judges, predominantly from the U.S. continent, aren't opening their ears to Hawaiian language lyrics.

“The Grammy organization itself has no agenda. When it comes to highly subjective music taste, we're kind of like Switzerland – the neutral player,” said Ben London, executive director of the Recording Academy Pacific Northwest Chapter, the national organizer of the Grammys. Nevertheless, Recording Academy members, who cast Grammy ballots, this year included 18,000 music professionals, out of which only 150 were Hawai'i residents.

The majority of voters are likely to be more familiar with slack key music because it is widely distributed by record labels based on the U.S. continent and is often put into airplay rotation alongside new age or easy listening genres on conglomerate radio groups, London said.

Because the Recording Academy members are responsible for seeking out the nominated albums in the final phase of balloting, the Grammy organization may turn to Internet streaming in order to make the judging process a little easier – with the result that the music of Hawaiian Grammy hopefuls will be easier to find.

As it stands now, there are 108 Grammy categories. Recording Academy member-judges use their own discretion in selecting no more than 12 categories for voting purposes. According to London, this year's voting reflects a greater overall diversity of taste than in previous years. In the “Best Album” category, there is a cross-section of rappers, rockers and crooners, he noted.

The category for Best Hawaiian Album is open to all island-based artists who meet minimum qualifications, such as credit for a retailed product and a minimum of 12 tracks per release. Tracie Young of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which helps to promote the local music industry, said the desire to see Hawaiian music gain notoriety beyond local shores drove Hawai'i residents, including members of the local Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts, to successfully wage the campaign for a Grammy for a Hawaiian category. To bring more informed island perspectives into the voting process, Young encourages all qualified Hawai'i residents to consider becoming Recording Academy members before the next early December deadline.

Formerly, Hawaiian artists were lumped in with the World Music category, meaning they would compete against gypsy guitarists, African drummers and other players of ethnic-based traditional music for the big prize. There is no money that comes with a Grammy, but the academy's Ben London says Grammy success – even a nomination, inevitably translates into a bump in sales and radio airplay for artists. “If you are a recording artist, a Grammy also means the highest accomplishment possible in the eyes of your music industry peers.”

London said the Grammy organization is aware that many Hawaiian music fans are eager to see the creativity of Hawaiian language lyricists get some national recognition. With enough popular demand, the organization might facilitate this by adding a category exclusively for Hawaiian vocal music, he added. In the meantime, he says the Hawaiian nominees at the awards ceremonies are celebrated with a special Hawaiian-themed reception. While the CBS telecast of the Grammy awards from Staples Center in Los Angeles will present the Hawaiian Grammy off-air, the results will be announced during the television program.

“The talent of the Hawaiian musicians is just amazing,” said London. “The nominees receive tickets to the big show and their presence is so vibrant, they ensure that all of Hawai'i is a winner.”

And the nominees for Best Hawaiian Album of the Year are… Ka Hikina O Ka Hau (The Coming of the Snow), by Keola Beamer (Dancing Cat Productions). A noted singer-composer-musician, Beamer hails from one of Hawai'i's premier music families with Hawai'i Island roots. This is his first Grammy nomination. Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar by various artists (Daniel Ho Creations). Ho, a musician and a producer, won two Grammy awards for his performances of slack key and 'ukulele music. The roster of artists on his record label includes many locals in the acoustic genre. Hawaiiana, by Tia Carrere (Daniel Ho Creations). Carrere, a graduate of Honolulu's Sacred Hearts Academy has led an acclaimed singer-actress career in Hollywood, where her film credits include co-starring alongside then-actor Arnold Schwarzenegger in True Lies. This is her first appearance on the Grammy ballot. He'eia, by Cyril Pahinui (Dancing Cat Productions). Pahinui is a son of the legendary slack-key giant Gabby Pahinui. Many of his recording credits and hits come from a long-time association with the Peter Moon band. Hawaiian Blossom by Raiatea Helm (Raiatea Helm Records). Helm is among the vanguard of young Hawaiian musicians who compose and sing in both Hawaiian and English. This is her second nomination.