There was neither an upset nor a sweep at last night's 32nd Na Hoku Hanohano awards. Instead, the 26 coveted prizes — the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts' equivalent of the Grammys — went to 22 different performers.

The closest any one group or performer came to winning it all was when Pali received its third Hoku of the night.

The group was nominated in five categories, and won in three. Its album "...With Aloha" won for album of the year and Island music album of the year. Its song "Island Days" from "...With Aloha," won the award for song of the year. The song was written and composed by Pali founder and lead singer Pali T.W. Ka'aihue.

"This album is a postcard to the world," Ka'aihue said. "We really wanted to send the message of aloha to the world through this album."

Holunape and Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole were each nominated in four categories, and they each walked away with two awards.

Holunape won the award for group of the year, and its album "Ahea? 'Ano!" won for Hawaiian album of the year.

Singer Kanaka'ole, a clear audience favorite, won the Hoku for male vocalist of the year, as well as the award for best Hawaiian language performance for his album "Kaumakaiwa."

"Holy moley," were the first words that came out of Kanaka'ole's mouth as he stood at the podium.

He only got more eloquent from there.

Making the majority of his acceptance speech for best Hawaiian language performance in Hawaiian, he slipped into English to say: "It's been 30 years since my grandma Edith (Kanaka'ole) stood on this stage to accept an award, and here I stand, as her great-grandson, accepting this award. This is ours," he said, referring to the Hawaiian language for which he, as a practitioner, received top honors last night. "This — this language — is how we're unique to the world."

After Kanaka'ole received his second award of the night for best male vocalist, he, along with his mother and grandmother — three generations of celebrated Kanaka'ole powerhouse singers — broke out into a spontaneous Hawaiian chorus; a song of gratitude in perfect family harmony. And the audience broke out in chicken skin.

And it might not be a Grammy, but Amy Hanaiali'i took home the Hoku for contemporary album of the year for "'Aumakua," a win that didn't surprise anyone but thrilled fans nonetheless.

"'Aumakua was a beautiful project to work on," she said. "Being able to sing songs that are in English, but that also represent the Hawaiian language, has been an unforgettable experience."

Natalie Ai Kamau'u is now two-for-two — her debut album, "E," helped garner her the Hoku for female vocalist in 2006, and her sophomore album, "'I," has done it again. Kamau'u won the best female award, beating out strong contenders such as Hanaiali'i, Teresa Bright, Ku'uipo Kumukahi and Diana Aki.

Kupaoa was named most promising artist for the duo's CD, "Pili O Ke Ao."

The Lifetime achievement awards went to Cecilio and Kapono, The Sons of Hawai'i, Keola and Kapono Beamer, the late John Pi'ilani Watkins and the late George Jarrett Helm.

Teresa Bright's "Tropic Rhapsody" was named best jazz album, while the best Christmas album was "E Ola Ke Ali'i: The Na Kama Christmas Collection, Volume 1" by Na Kama.

The top anthology album was "Unforgettable" by the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and the Makaha Sons of Ni'ihau.

The top compilation album was "Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Master Series Vol. II" by various artists, and award for best slack key album, a category that was introduced this year, went to John Keawe for his album, "Hawaii Island ... Is my Home."

In the end, it's the people's opinion that really counts, and the award for favorite entertainer — the only category voted on by the public — went to a couple of old-time favorites: Ledward Ka'apana and Mike Kaawa for their album "Force of Nature."

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