Slack-Key Guitar Festival Strikes a Chord this Sunday in Maui
Hawaii’s musical influence stretches far beyond our islands’ borders. The music of our fair state includes a myriad of styles, both traditional and modern, that touch every genre from native Hawaiian folk music to modern rock and hip hop. Perhaps best known around the globe as Hawaii’s most-recognizable sound, however, is ki ho’alu (or “slack-key guitar”), and this weekend, the incomparable sound returns to Maui.
On Sunday, June 27, the 19th Annual Ki Ho’alu Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival, Maui-Island Style, kicks off at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Admission is free and performances run from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
For those unfamiliar with the Hawaiian style of guitar music, the sound of ki ho’alu (meaning “loosen the [tuning] key”) is typically achieved by detuning or “slacking” one or more strings of a classically tuned guitar until the six strings form a single chord. Historic accounts date slack-key guitar back to the late 19th century when Mexican cowboys (“vaqueros”) taught Hawaiians the basics of playing guitar before leaving the islands, allowing Hawaiians to develop the unique style of music on their own. Today, ki ho’alu is celebrated as one of the world’s most unique guitar traditions.
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to stretch out over the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Events Lawn and enjoy crafters from all across Hawaii, food from Maui restaurants and caterers, a one-of-a-kind guitar exhibit and performances from such top musicians as Makana, Brother Noland, George Kahumoku, Stephen Inglis, Kevin and Ikaika Brown, Dennis Kamakahi, Jeff Peterson, Bobby Moderow, Paul Togioka, LT Smooth, Donald Kaulia, Dwight Kanae, Patrick Landeza, Walter Keale and Chris Lau.
For additional details about the event, call the Maui Arts & Cultural Center box office at 242-7469 or visit www.mauiarts.org or www.slackkeyfestival.com. Additional festivals in additional locations will take place throughout the year.
Will you be attending the festival this year? Are you a killer ki ho’alu guitar player? We want to hear your story!
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