The awards will be given in three categories (Business, Individual and Organization) for each island (Hawai'i, Kaua'i, Lana'i, Maui, Moloka'i and O'ahu) and for out-of-state. One recipient may receive the Koa Award, which was created to recognize a long-term and exemplary commitment to perpetuating and preserving Hawai'i's host culture.

The authority's Hawaiian Cultural Program Advisory Council, a group of Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and supporters, will review the nominations and select the winners. Members include Peter Apo, founding member of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association; "Brother Noland" Conjugacion, a musician, artist and teacher; Walter Jamieson, dean of the School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa; Robbie Kaholokula, a Kaua'i County tourism specialist; Cheryl L. Ka'uhane Lupenui, president and chief executive officer of the YWCA of O'ahu; Elizabeth Kapu'uwailani Lindsey, president and CEO of Pono LLC; Debbie Nakanelua-Richards, senior manager of government and community Relations at Hawaiian Airlines; Ramsay Taum, dpecial assistant at the School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa; Michael White, general manager of the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel; and Leona Mapuana Kalima, a cultural specialist at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Entries must be received at the Hawai'i Tourism Authority office by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25.

Completed entries should be submitted to HTA, Hawai'i Convention Center, Floor 1, 1801 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815. For full details on the criteria, guidelines and application process, go to www.hawaiitourismauthority.org or contact the program administrator, Martin Schiller of the Schiller Agency, at (808) 227-6002, (808) 531-1800 or mschiller@tsg-hawaii.com.