So in theory, Smith is the contender to watch in the first-ever Grammy Awards recognizing Hawaiian artists.

"Glen's work demonstrates that we all have other musical outlets in which we participate," said Manu Boyd, public information officer for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs when he's not wearing his Ho'okena badge. "He rightfully could have been on the slack-key nominee, too, or Willie and Amy's album, if he were asked. This simply illustrates the camaraderie, the sense of 'ohana, our group has."

Ho'okena members all have full-time day jobs. Horace Dudoit III is a postal clerk and Chris Kamaka is with his family's Kamaka 'Ukulele business.

"Though we're part-time musicians, we take music seriously, as if it were full time," said Dudoit. "But being part time means we can pick and choose where and when to play. We don't have the stress of surviving and making the bills, because we all have day jobs. This keeps our music honest."

Still, music is more than a hobby: "the love, the experience of getting together ... we keep it all in good light, and don't do it for the money," said Boyd. "Our best performances and sometimes our best moments come during rehearsals, when we experiment with our art and create songs."

"If I have new material, I introduce the songs to the group," said Boyd, a prolific tunesmith. "We rehearse it, see how it's coming along."

"Manu and I pick the majority of the songs, but if I have an idea, I share it with the group," said Dudoit. "Like 'The Prayer,' where Maila Gibson was an easy pick, with the voice I was looking for, the spirit that carries the song. She was perfect."

Smith was initially dubious about how Ho'okena (previously a quintet) would manage vocally as a foursome. "I was afraid that vocally, we wouldn't be as strong and that we would have to rely on the magic of studio enhancements to maintain the same sound."

But the fears were unfounded.

"The Ho'okena signature is still there," he said.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, 525-8067 or fax 525-8055.