You’re reading my final post about this year’s Best Hawaiian Music Album Grammy. My final post, that is, before the actual Grammy ceremonies on Sunday.

Promise.

Nothing new to report. The nominees haven’t changed:

• Keola Beamer’s Ka Hikina O Ka Hau (The Coming Of The Snow)
• Tia Carrere’s Hawaiiana
• Raiatea Helm’s Hawaiian Blossom
• Cyril Pahinui’s He‘eia
• Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, produced by George Kahumoku Jr., Daniel Ho, Paul Konwiser and Wayne Wong

You’ll be able to watch the pre-telecast ceremony—where the Hawaiian music Grammy is awarded—live and online at The Recording Academy’s official Web site Grammy.com. This first-ever broadcast of Grammy's pre-primetime award show happens between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (PST) on Feb. 10.

In a previous post, I predicted a Carrere win. I haven't changed my mind.

I’d much rather see Helm (with her second Grammy nomination) or Pahinui (with his first nomination) win the gold gramophone. Both are solid artists in the genre, with equally solid CDs.

But Tia was in Wayne’s World AND was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars. And in a Grammy category filled with musicians still largely unknown to many Recording Academy voters, that kind of pop culture notoriety and name recognition might be enough to win. No joke.

I’ll be watching the pre-telecast ceremony on Sunday, and posting the winner here at Hawaiimagazine.com as soon as it is announced.

But I’ll ask you all once again before show time. Who do you think deserves to win on Sunday for Best Hawaiian Music Album? Who do you think will win?
  

For the fourth consecutive year, Grammy winners for Best Hawaiian Music Album won’t get to accept their golden gramophones on CBS’s primetime telecast.

But fans of Hawaiian music shouldn’t completely despair.

This year for the first time, the pre-telecast ceremonies—where the Hawaiian music Grammy is awarded—will air live and online at The Recording Academy’s official Web site Grammy.com. The Los Angeles Convention Center ceremony will air from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (PST) on Feb. 10.

Awards in nearly 100 not-ready-for-prime-time Grammy categories will also be given out during the pre-telecast.

I’m predicting Tia Carrere’s CD of Hawaiian music, Hawaiiana, will win the Grammy even though it doesn’t quite deserve it, thereby cheesing off a whole bunch of folks in the Hawaiian music industry.

In addition to Los Angeles-based Carrere, the other nominees for the Hawaiian Grammy are:

• Keola Beamer’s Ka Hikina O Ka Hau (The Coming Of The Snow)
• Raiatea Helm’s Hawaiian Blossom
• Cyril Pahinui’s He‘eia
• Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar produced by George Kahumoku Jr., Daniel Ho, Paul Konwiser and Wayne Wong.

Who do you think deserves to win? Who do you think will win?
  

If you thought the Mai Tai was a hit, try the “Pua ‘Olena,” a cocktail inspired by a song on Tia Carrere’s Grammy-nominated Hawaiiana album.

Each year, bartenders from Hawaii’s Outriggers Hotels and Resorts create drinks, inspired by the Grammy-nominated albums in the Hawaiian category, for the Outrigger’s Hotels and Resorts’ fourth annual “Signature Drink Contest.”

Last night, Bob Melton, a bartender of Chuck’s Steakhouse in Waikiki, took top honors for the second year in a row.  His lilikoi-guava-lychee cocktail concoction was inspired by Tia Carrere. “The way Tia sings Pua ‘Olena inspired me to make a drink seeking the same sweet smell and essence of the ‘olena blossom,” says Melton.

Here’s his winning recipe, full of Island flavors:
 

Pua ‘Olena
1 oz. Yazi Ginger Vodka
¾ oz. Malibu Coconut Rum
½ oz. Sohi Lychee Liqueur
1 oz. Lilikoi Juice
1 oz. Guava Juice
½ oz. Kiwi Fruit Juice

Mix all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake to chill and strain in to a chilled martini glass.

(BTW: We got Melton to make us one.  It rocks.)

Besides Carrere, other nominees for the Hawaiian Grammy are

• Keola Beamer’s Ka Hikina O Ka Hau (The Coming Of The Snow)
• Raiatea Helm’s Hawaiian Blossom
• Cyril Pahinui’s He‘eia
• Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar produced by George Kahumoku Jr., Daniel Ho, Paul Konwiser and Wayne Wong.

For a complete listing of the Grammy Award nominees, click here. The awards will be aired Feb. 10, 2008 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

As the winning bartender, Melton will travel to Los Angeles to serve his drink at a special Grammy Awards party.