2004 REGGAE ALBUM OF THE YEAR Hawaiian Music Award Winner Kontiki is a Tongan-American reggae group that represents the last remaining monarchy of the South Pacific. Tonga, a tropical island near the equator is located near the International Dateline and legend says, "It is where time begins." Kontiki embraces their Polynesian cultural values and beliefs. As the first generation born in the United States, they understand poverty and hardship, but their music represents their hunger for opportunity and the struggle for a better life. Their rhythmic fusion contains a crossover reggae spirit that combines a Polynesian perspective and a positive reggae blend that never fails to touch the hearts of their fans. All of the band members are hopeless romantics who sing about love, relationships and making it work. But each of the members admit their favorite song is "Stand Tall," based on a phrase their older brother, gunned down at age 26 in South Central, used to say. We will never forget him and in our lives as in our music we continue to strive to reach people with our positive message, always remain true and "Stand Tall."