The votes are in for this year's recipients of the 32nd annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, and nominees and Hawaiian music fans alike are wondering if there might be a surprise in store.

The awards ceremony takes place tonight at the Sheraton Waikiki, and will be broadcast live on K5.

"I follow the awards every year," said Maile Kaleohano, 27, of Kane'ohe. "I don't know, I just love Hawaiian music, and I love wondering which singer will win. I always hope there will be some big surprise. Like a big upset. I love that!"

It could happen.

Pali T.W. Ka'aihue, lead singer and founder of the group Pali, which is nominated for five Na Hoku awards, said what stands out to him about this year's awards is the number of young, new groups that received nominations.

"Kupaoa and Manoa Voices come to mind," he said. "They play a lot around town and have great reputations.

"This is the first year in a long time where a lot of new groups came out with new releases and are creating a buzz around town. It's nice to see that."

But the newbies have some serious competition. They're in elite company, with veteran artists such as Amy Hanaiali'i, Holunape, The Brothers Cazimero, Eddie Kamae and the young but highly regarded Kauma-kaiwa Kanaka'ole also garnering a number of nominations each.

The award nominees were announced May 6.

Included in the 26 categories is a new category added this year for best slack-key album.

Members of the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Arts voted in 20 of the 26 categories to determine the winners.

A panel of Hawaiian music and language specialists selected the winners in the haku mele and Hawaiian-language performance categories.

The"Favorite Entertainer of the Year" is chosen by popular vote.

IN THE RUNNING

Here are the nominees for album of the year, group of the year and female and male vocalist of the year. For a full list of nominees, log on to www.nahokuhanohano.org.

Album of the year