The 2011 Ka Palapala Poʻokela Awards gala is coming soon (Friday, May 6), rewarding the best in Hawaiʻi’s books.  To generate excitement for the event as well as educate the public on the nominees, I wanted to do a little countdown, quickly highlighting the books nominated for each awards category.

To begin with, let’s look at keiki books!

Excellence in Children’s Hawaiian Culture

Books for young readers reflecting Hawaiian culture or Hawaiian history.

Kohala Kuamoʻo: Naeʻole’s Race to Save a King
Kekauleleanaeʻole Kawaiʻaeʻa, illus. by Aaron Kawaiʻaeʻa, moʻolelo by Luana and Walter Kawaiʻaeʻa
Kamehameha Publishing, 2010
32 pages, hardcover
ISBN: 0873362322

Legend of the Gourd
adapted and illus. by Caren Keʻala Loebel-Fried, Hawaiian translation by Kaliko Beamer-Trapp
Bishop Museum Press, 2010
36 pages, cloth
ISBN: 1581781032

Mohala Mai ʻO Hau/How Hau Became Hauʻula
Robert Lono ʻIkuwā, illus. by Matthew Kāwika Ortiz
Kamehameha Publishing, 2010
32 pages, hardcover
ISBN: 9780873362399

No ke Anilā/Our Hawaiʻi Weather
Kaulana Dameg, Mahealani Kobashigawa, illus. by Eve Furchgott
Kamehameha Publishing, 2010
28 pages, hardcover
ISBN: 0873362357

Anyone read these books?  If so, what are your thoughts?  Who do you think will win?  Who do you think should win?  We’d love to hear your comments!

Remember, you can attend the 2011 Ka Palapala Poʻokela Awards gala on Friday, May 6 at the Mission Houses Museum.  This year’s gala event will be hosted by Kimo Kahoano and Carole Kai, with entertainment by the award-winning musical group, Nā Leo.  Enjoy ʻono pupu, cocktails and gourmet chocolates by Choco leʻa.  Come early and tour the Mission Houses Museum.  To purchase tickets, please visit hawaiibooks.org.