And the Grammy goes to ... ki ho'alu. Again.

The live, multiartist instrumental and vocal compilation "Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 1" won the Grammy for best Hawaiian music album yesterday. The Grammy was awarded in a ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center just before a prime-time awards telecast at the neighboring Staples Center. This is the second year that a Grammy for Hawaiian music has been awarded.

Two of the disc's three co-producers, Daniel Ho and Wayne Wong, accepted trophies for the compilation. Producer Paul Konwiser wasn't there; he stayed on Maui to preside over the weekly Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar concert at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, which went on as usual last night. The "Masters" compilation is made up of live recordings culled from more than two years of concert series performances at Kapalua.

"I couldn't believe it. It's probably one of the most exciting days of my life," Ho, who also contributed a couple of tracks to the disc, said backstage. "It's really a blessing. We gave everyone hugs before going on stage. I'm thrilled for everyone on the CD."

Ho said he would give his Grammy to veteran ki ho'alu musician and series co-founder George Kahumoku Jr., who attended the ceremony in Konwiser's place. Kahumoku, son Keoki, Peter deAquino and Garrett Probst — who all contributed tracks to the compilation — joined Ho and Wong on stage.

"Eh, we won, brah!" George Kahumoku, exclaimed, calling from the convention center as he was being escorted to national and international press rooms backstage, minutes after "Masters" won the Grammy. "We just passed Paul McCartney's (interview) room."

At the microphone on stage, Kahumoku thanked the faculty and staff of Lahainaluna High School, where he teaches, and asked the audience to applaud the school's celebration of its 175th anniversary this year. The crowd responded with a roar of applause and laughter. Kahumoku also did a brief Hawaiian chant for the audience.

"When I had my turn at the mike, I forgot to thank Paul Konwiser, who made this all possible. So thanks, Paul!" Kahumoku told The Advertiser afterward.

"All I said was, 'My name is Daniel Ho. Thank you all very much for your support,' " said Ho, recalling his acceptance speech. "I didn't want to talk too much because we had to move it along. But everyone on stage got to say a little something."

Also nominated in the category were "Slack Key Dreams of the Ponomoe" by Kapono Beamer, "Sweet & Lovely" by Raiatea Helm, "Ki ho'alu: Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar" by Ledward Ka'apana and "Slack Key Guitar: The Artistry of Sonny Lim" by Sonny Lim.

Albums dominated by slack-key guitar have claimed the Grammy for best Hawaiian music album for two years running. Last year, the Grammy went to the instrumental, multi-artist compilation "Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2."

Four of the five discs nominated for best Hawaiian music album this year were driven by ki ho'alu-based tracks, the sole all-vocal exception being Helm's "Sweet & Lovely."

This year's winner also highlights the popularity of multi-artist compilations with the category's voters. In addition to Ho, George and Keoki Kahumoku, deAquino and Probst, "Masters" included instrumental and vocal tracks from longtime ki ho'alu legends Cyril Pahinui, Ozzie Kotani and Ka'apana — who was at the awards event but didn't make it to the stage.

"Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 1" shared certain characteristics with "Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 2." Both CDs were released on small indie labels. Neither initially made a big splash in Hawaiian music circles. But last year, "Slack Key" shut out best-selling discs by Keali'i Reichel, Ho'okena, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K, and the Brothers Cazimero, and this year, the "Masters" compilation advanced beyond solo discs by equally respected solo artists.

Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts president Alan Yamamoto speculated that both Hawaiian music Grammy winners had a similar dynamic going for them. "There were a lot of performers on it. The title was easily recognizable, and (to the uninitiated) it sounds like a big release," he said.

Most of the voters in the category live on the Mainland, and that affects the vote's outcome. The Hawaiian music category is found within the Grammys' folk music field, and Mainland-based folk music voters are likely more familiar with ki ho'alu than Hawaiian language vocals or chant.

Hawai'i-based Grammy voters still number little more than 100.

George Kahumoku said, "I thought we had the best chance out of everybody because I've been traveling for the last 35 years playing slack key. And slack key is well-known. ... I've taught slack key all over the place ... to thousands of students."

Yamamoto said last year's Grammy win for a slack-key album probably generated more interest in the genre again this year. But he wouldn't predict that ki ho'alu would dominate the category in future years.

After the acceptance speeches, the "Masters" crew was whisked backstage to meet journalists and photographers. That's when Ka'apana caught up with them.

"I didn't make it to the stage. I was confused," said Ka'apana, laughing hard. "But I'm happy. I was telling the guys that I wen' lose and win at the same time (because he was also up for his solo album). ... They was all kind of nervous up there on stage. But they did a good job."

Ho said he was particularly honored to share the Grammy stage with George Kahumoku, his longtime friend and teacher.

"Uncle George is going to get my Grammy," said Ho. "(The Maui concert series) is his show. He's there every week. It's his hard work and love of slack key that makes it work.

"He's my mentor. I love the guy. And that's why he's taking mine home."

Kahumoku was determined to handcraft a Grammy — which goes only to the disc's producers — for every musician on the "Masters" CD.

"I'm a welder and a caster," said Kahumoku, chuckling. "I'm gonna take the Grammy and make one for everybody, brah. I goin' cast 'em in bronze."

Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com.