The Hawai'i Tourism Authority is awarding $600,000 to 27 programs seeking to perpetuate and honor Native Hawaiian culture.

The awards were announced yesterday.

The programs will highlight the historical significance of Pearl Harbor to Native Hawaiians, honor classic Hawaiian culture at a two-day festival, and preserve the rare ancient hula ohe, or nose flute hula.

Other programs include a hula competition on Maui and a month-long celebration of Native Hawaiian art and artists in May.

Last week, the authority released a survey that found that almost 60 percent of Native Hawaiians and more than half of Caucasian Hawai'i residents believe the tourism industry doesn't help preserve Native Hawaiian language and culture.