Ballots for the first round of voting (to determine who the nominees will be) for the 2015 GRAMMYS® were mailed to voting members October 15th, and must be returned no later than November 5th. The nominations will be announced the first week of December, and final ballots will go out on December 17th.  (The final ballots are due back January 16th and the 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards® Airs Live on CBS Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015.)

Here are the 18 eligible entries from Hawaiʻi in the Regional Roots category (part of the American Roots Music field):

Me Ke Aloha
Lito Arkangel

Hū’ewa
Hū’ewa

Music for the Hawaiian Islands Vol 1
Kuana Torres Kahele

Seeds of Aloha 
George Kahumoku Jr.

Swaying Sea
Kaiholu

D-Tour
John Keawe

Hanuʻaʻala
Kamaka Kukona

I Know You by Heart
Kupaoa

Na Pua Mohala
Kupaoa & Kaulana

Meleʻuhane
Keikilani Lindsey

Made in Hawaii
Chino Montero

Ala Iki
Kapono Na`ili`ili

Pure ʻUkulele
Herb Ohta, Jr.

Kani Pu Kolu
Cyril Pahinui

Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Vol. 3
Various Artists


Napili
Waipuna

Ki Hoʻalu Christmas
Jim Kimo West

Lei Maile
Mark Yamanaka

Good luck to all the entrants!

(Note: we still do not have enough entries to qualify to get our own [separate] category back. Please be sure to contact me or the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts next year for assistance in entering your album or EP for consideration. The qualifying period (release date) is different than it is for the Hōkū Awards, so watch for information next summer!)

 Honolulu, HI – Known for his work with award-winning artists from Jack Johnson to the late Dennis Kamakahi, Kaukahi to Palani Vaughan, Melveen Leed, Amy Hanaiali’i and more, multi Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winning artist Kawika Kahiapo will release Kuʻu ʻAina Aloha  ("my beloved land"), his third solo album, on October 14, 2014. A mix of four original songs, three others for which he composed the music, and five cover songs, Kahiapo’s devotion to and love of Hawaiʻi and its people, land, waters, and culture are evident in his lyrics; his velvety voice painting a picture in English and Hawaiian of both his home and his passions. 

Influenced by world renowned slack key master Gabby "Pops" Pahinui, who with guitar in hand frequented the casual “garage parties” held at Kawika’s family home when he was young, his  passion for ki ho`alu (slack-key guitar) was born and continued to grow. After breaking into the professional music scene at age 17, joining Chucky Boy Chock and O`ahu Brand, he went on to perform with the Sunday Mānoa’s Palani Vaughan. Over the years he has contributed his talents to over 80 recording projects and has collaborated and performed with artists such as the internationally acclaimed Jack Johnson; Na Leo, Cyril Pahinui and more. Subsequent to the release of his first two solo albums ("Alana" in 1996 and "One Heart/One Voice" in 2000), Kahiapo formed the group Kaukahi, which received three Nā Hōkū awards in 2007 for their debut album “Life in These Islands" - including one for Song of the Year for the album’s title cut, which Kawika wrote. He is also the recipient of the Slack Key Artist of the Year award; was featured on the GRAMMY® award winning album "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key"; and has recorded numerous jingles and theme songs for radio and television ads.

Kuʻu ʻAina Aloha was produced by Kahiapo. Chris Lau of Rhythm and Roots co-produced and engineered the album. Guest artists include: Chris Lau (bass); Nick Olds (percussion); Greg Sardinha (steel guitar); and LT Smooth (guitar). In addition to vocals, Kahiapo plays guitar, ʻukulele, cuatro, bass, and percussion. One of the album’s original songs, “Waimanalo,” composed about the place Kawika calls home, was performed on “Let’s Play Music! Slack Key with Cyril Pahinui & Friends” - a PBS TV special dedicated to the memory of Gabby "Pops" Pahinui. The song is also being aired on Hawaiian Airlines flights.

In his words: “On this CD, I wrote songs about special places in my heart: ‘Ku'u 'Aina Aloha,’ (my beloved land.) As a Hawaiian, love for the 'aina, special places of richness and beauty, are a part of me, and I a part of them.”

The CD will initially be released through Kahiapoʻs website and on Me Ke Aloha, followed by wider release through other online outlets (including iTunes and CD Baby), as well as local retailers. 

Here are some song clips from the album: