A former Grand Junction resident and CMU student has earned a nomination at the 61st annual Grammy Awards. This nomination comes two years after a Grammy win for Best Roots Album.

Kalani Pe’a’s sophomore release titled “No ‘Ane’i” (We Belong Here), is nominated for the 61st annual Grammy Awards under the Best Regional Roots Music Album category.

According to Kalani Pe'a's publicist, "No ‘Ane’i reflects the importance of playing a part in the foundation of Hawaiian culture, and the preservation of Hawaiian identity and values that keep Hawai’i thriving."

The album features twelve songs, each telling a story about Kalani Pe’a and the life he has led. Among the twelve songs includes eight original compositions Pe’a wrote or co-wrote.

One of the main concepts for this album was to remind our people of the value of becoming primary resources of our land. We must become that primary or secondary resource for our people so that we maintain and retain the resources and so that our people thrive in Hawai‘i. This album will hopefully give people the significance of building a foundation and becoming part of that foundation. Once the foundation is secured we can identify the importance of how to thrive as people; that our heritage lives on; that we identify our cultural values and practices and how we think as people, and to uplift and uphold the values of how we act and think in a Hawaiian perspective while maintaining our Hawaiian identity. We are responsible for becoming a pillar for our people; to carry out the torch and light of our ancestors. Hawaiian language is the foundation to everything. We belong here. This is our land. We must thrive! - Kalani Pe'a

Two years ago, Kalani Pe'a won the Grammy award for Regional Roots Album with his album "E Walea."

Kalani-Pea-Grammy-Winner
Allan B. Cool - Manager - Kalani Pe'a Music LLC
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Pe'a, a native of Hawaii, attended Mesa State College from 2001 to 2007, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications.

CDs can be purchased worldwide online at www.islandheritagemusic.com.

The 2019 Grammy Awards will be broadcasted on CBS on Sunday, February 10, 2019. 

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