Helm's sophomore disc earned her awards for female vocalist of the year and favorite entertainer. It also won an engineering award for Dave Tucciarone and a graphics award for Mele McPherson.

The Hoku for female vocalist was Helm's second. She'd won in 2003 for her debut disc, "Far Away Heaven."

The evening's top prize of album of the year went to Eddie Kamae & The Sons of Hawai'i's anthology, "Eddie Kamae & The Sons of Hawai'i." The album also scooped up a Hoku for anthology album of the year.

Last night's only other multiple-award winners were Na Palapalai and Kimo Alama Keaulana.

The members of Na Palapalai accept their Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Hawaiian album of the year. Na Palapalai also won for group of the year. From left: Kuana Torres, Keao Costa and Kehau Tamure. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Na Palapalai previously won both awards in 2003 for its debut CD, "Makani 'Olu'olu."

Tied with Helm for most Hoku nominations this year with seven each, 'Ale'a and the Brothers Cazimero each went home with one award.

The Caz's Grammy-nominated "Some Call It Aloha ... Don't Tell" grabbed song-of-the-year honors for Robert Cazimero's " 'Ala Auhea." 'Ale'a's "Kaulupono" won for contemporary Hawaiian album of the year.

Vocalists Dennis Pavao and Wendell Warrington won posthumous Hoku. Pavao was named male vocalist of the year for "The Golden Voice of Hawai'i, Vol. 1." Warrington's "A Few More Drops" won for religious album.

Eddie Kamae of Eddie Kamae & The Sons Of Hawaii, along with his wife, Myrna, accepts the Award for top anthology album. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Paiva, however, couldn't best one of her musical influences, Jake Shimabukuro, for instrumental album. Shimabukuro took home a Hoku for his "Walking Down Rainhill" disc.

Multi-nominated musicians going home empty-handed last night included Charles Ka'upu, Na Leo, Pali and Keahiwai.

Lifetime achievement awards went to Melveen Leed, Jesse Kalima, Kealoha Kalama, Bill Ali'iloa Lincoln and Hui Ohana.

The reception area outside the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Coral Ballroom filled slowly but steadily before dinner and awards time. The humid weather didn't stop many men from showing up in dressy black suits. Most women opted for strapless mu'umu'u and cocktail dresses.

At reception area tables, applications for Recording Academy membership disappeared as quickly as the many varieties of fragrant lei. Membership has its privileges. Among them: a voter's ballot for 2006's Best Hawaiian Music Album Grammy.

Auntie Genoa Keawe, in a red flower-print mu'umu'u, arrived early, smiling and taking photos with admirers armed with lei. Everybody wanted a picture.

Also accepting many kudos prior to the Hoku ceremony was Paiva, mugging with veteran musician John Keawe as her mom snapped photos.

Charles Michael Brotman, who produced the CD that won the first Grammy for best Hawaiian music album, chatted about future projects. No "Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 3" is in the works for his Big Island-based Palm Records label just yet. But look for a Brotman-produced Sonny Lim solo-guitar disc soon.

Helm arrived as many began to find their seats in the ballroom. Looking radiant in a long, form-fitting pink dress, she posed for photos and gave a hug to whoever wanted one. Her mom and dad in tow, it was hard to tell who had more lei between them.

"Yee-haw!" she exclaimed, before entering the ballroom.