Celebrating the Legacy of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar & Music

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Sonny Lim, Lorna Lim, Nani Lim Yap: Descendants of Alapa‘inui, once the ruling chief of the island of Hawai‘i, the Lim Family share the stories and melodies passed down from their kūpuna (elders). They remain faithful to their roots as their songs and dances have a distinct focus on celebrating in particular their home district of North Kohala, the birthplace of King Kamehameha the Great. An early member of the Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau, Sonny is a multiple Hoku award winner, performing regularly with his family in Hawai‘i and Japan.

Recognized as one of Hawaii’s most versatile musicians, Jeff Peterson is at the heart of the Hawaiian music scene today, having contributed to two Grammy Award-winning recordings and winner of eight Nā Hōku Hanohano Awards in Hawaii including Slack Key Album of the Year for "Maui on My Mind" in 2010, "Slack Key Travels" in 2014 and "O’ahu" in 2016 which also earned him Instrumental Song of the Year for the song "Old Pali". His latest release "Wahi Pana" is a full-length performance and documentary film and CD soundtrack.

Born and raised in Hawai’i, Makana is an internationally acclaimed Slack Key guitarist, singer, composer, philosopher, and one of Hawaii’s cultural ambassadors to the world, considered the youngest authority on the art form and recognized as one of the top guitarists in the US (Guitar Player Magazine 2008). The NY Times calls him “A dynamic force within the style” and National Geographic Society says Makana is “Charting a new sonic frontier with deep ties to tradition”. He has performed in venues worldwide ranging from Tianjin Opera House in China to The White House.

Regarded as one of the world’s foremost Hawaiian slack key guitar artists, Kimo is a 2021 Grammy winner for More Guitar Stories, a 2019 Grammy nominee for Moku Maluhia-Peaceful Island, a 2008 Hawaii Music Award winner and 4x Nā Hōku Hanohano (the Hawaiian ‘Grammy’) nominee. He is also a two-time winner of the LA Treasures Award for his efforts in keeping this important acoustic guitar tradition alive. For his work as long-time guitarist with “Weird Al”, he has earned four Grammy’s and a Billboard #1 CD debut for 2015’s Mandatory Fun. 

Husband and wife duo, Kellen and Lihau Paik, have been performing as Kūpaoa for 18 years, during which time they have won multiple Nā Hōku Hanohano awards including Most Promising Artist and Island Music Album of the Year. "Kūpaoa" is defined as a lasting, permeating fragrance; it is the couple's hope that their music will linger with you, infusing your heart and mind long after their performance is through.

Dr. Kamuela Kimokeo is the Director of the Music Program and Hawaii Music institute at Windward Community College teaching Slack Key, Ukulele, Music Theory and Music History. He is a member of the Nā Hōku Hanohano award winning group Hiʻikua and tours with the likes of Hawaiian music Hall-of-Famer Jerry Santos, Amy Hanaiali’i, and Raiatea Helm. As a recording artist he was part of the Grammy Nominated and Hōkū award winning guitar album Slack Key Kings Vol. II. 

Kamuela started playing music professionally with his father in Waikiki when he was just 14 years old and now his son Ka'ihi follows in his dad's footsteps.