MASTERS OF HAWAIIAN MUSIC: GEORGE KAHUMOKU JR, LED KAAPANA & SONNY LIM

Three Masters, among the most popular at Maui’s renowned “Slack Key Show®”, share the uniquely Hawaiian styles of slack key guitar and ‘ukulele, with origins in the early 19th century when Portuguese immigrants introduced the ‘ukulele to Hawai‘i and Mexican cowboys brought guitars along with their ranching skills. Ever since, Hawaiians have made these instruments their own and invented the lap steel guitar along the way. 

Four-time Grammy-winner, master slack key guitarist GEORGE KAHUMOKU JR., known as “Hawai‘i’s Renaissance Man”, is a multiple Na Hōkū Hanohano (Hawaiian Grammy) Award winner, a vocalist, storyteller, songwriter & author, teacher, sculptor, farmer, and chef. 

A master of slack key guitar and National Heritage Fellow, LED KAAPANA has been one of Hawaii's most influential musicians for over four decades. His mastery of stringed instruments, his exceptional picking style in slack key, and his extraordinary baritone to leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) vocal range have made him a musical legend and earned him multiple Na Hōkū Awards. His delightful “kolohe” [rascal] personality endears him to audiences. 

Slack Key Guitarist, Hawaiian Steel Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer, multiple-award winner SONNY LIM developed his guitar & vocal styles performing with his famous Lim Family of the Big Island. He was also one of the early members of the renowned Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau for whom he played lap steel guitar beginning at age 15, and he performed on the first Grammy-winning CD in Hawaiian music.