HONOLULU -- The 48th annual Grammy Awards were helded Wednesday night in Los Angeles and for the second year Hawaiian Music was recognized in its own category.

The Best Hawaiian Music Album went to a compilation album of master slack-key guitarists.

The CD hosted the masters of Hawaiian slack-key guitar: Ledward Kaapana, Cyril Pahinui, Keoki Kahumoku, Daniel Ho, Ozzie Kotani, George Kahumoku Jr., and the Da Ukulele Boys -- Peter de Aquino and Garret Probst.

Kotani chose not to fly to Los Angeles for the ceremony, but he reveled in the recognition.

"I'm greatly honored not only because of the fact that it is the Grammys, but because I'm in the company of such great players," Otani said.

Pahinui said it's an honor he shares with his father, the late Gabby Pahinui.

"This should have happened maybe 20 years ago when my dad was still here, but I'm just proud doing my dad's work," Pahinui said.

This year, four out of the five albums nominated were slack-key guitar recordings. Critics say mainland Grammy judges, who may be unable to grasp the Hawaiian language, lean toward instrumentals. It's a point even this year's Grammy winning co-producer agrees with.

"Honestly I don't think they do. When you think about all the albums that did not get nominated: the Cazimero Brothers, Kelii Reichel, Amy (Hanaialii Giliom) and Willie K, there's such astonishing talent out there in Hawaiian music," producer Paul Konweiser said. "I sure hope in the future it gets more diverse than slack-key."

No one denies the win is one for the entire music industry in Hawaii.

"I just hope one day everyone gets their due recognition and respect,"

A Grammy win and even a nomination make a big difference to the artists. Konweiser said that after last year's win, sales of the CD "Slack-Key Guitar Volume 2" took off. He's hoping the same happens this year.