The two female nominees learned about their nomination from phone calls from The Advertiser earlier today.

Carrere, a Hollywood veteran with film, TV and recording credits, was in her car in Malibu when she responded to a message. "I nearly drove off the road in Malibu; I'm in tears," she said from her cell phone. With her Hollywood visibility and experience, she either is a darkhorse or a shoo-in.

"I've gotten awards for my acting before, but singing always has been where my heart is," she said. "I will work hard to win it. Being Grammy-nominated is great; being a Grammy winner, well, is greater. There are folks who deserve it far more than me — I mean, these guys, like Keola Beamer and Cyril Pahinui are legendary, and we all grew up with their music — and I can't believe I'm in the game. I will work hard to win it."

"I'm really excited for 2008," said Helm, about her second shot at the Grammys; she was a nominee last year for "Sweet and Lovely." "Well, that (earlier) nomination may have helped me establish myself, and I know what the experience is like having been on the scene. It's nice to know that people in the mainstream industry is supporting Hawaiian music."

Beamer, Pahinui and Ho were not immediately available for reaction.