Sunday, January 19, 2025 Kala Koa Entertainment celebrates 18 years of bringing the biggest and brightest names in Hawaiian music, taking fans on a Hawaiian musical journey showcasing GRAMMY-winning and Na Hoku Hanohano (Hawaiian Grammy) award-winning Hawaiian kiho’alu guitarists,along with vocal and hula performances and supporting musicians.
Hawaiian Slack Key guitar (ki ho`alu) is one of the world’s great acoustic guitar traditions.
Slack Key guitar is a Hawaiian fingerstyle guitar technique that originated in the 19th century when European sailors and Latin American cattlemen brought guitars to Hawaii which the Hawaiians then adapted to their traditional songs, by "slacking" the strings (the term "slack key" comes from the Hawaiian phrase kī hōʻalu, which means "loosen the [tuning] key"). The resulting lush, resonant, open sound is instantly identifiable as Hawaiian and guaranteed to transport the listener back to the islands.
It's the biggest Hawaiian music event of the year! Played from the heart and soul and flowing with vivid tropical images, Hawaiian ki ho'alu (slack key) is one of the great acoustic guitar traditions of the world.
Join us January 18, 2025 for an intimate mix-n-mingle with the artists, Hawaiian entertainment & 'ono food. This event includes a seat for the show and sells out every year so don't miss out!
Browse a variety of island themed gifts, art, handmade crafts, home decor, accessories & apparel. Enjoy Hawaiian plate lunches, authentic island-style shave ice and goodies.
Conveniently located just minutes from LAX, the RBPAC is the Crown Jewel of the South Bay arts scene with a state of the art sound system, friendly onsite staff and plenty of free parking.
Kings, cattle and cowboys: Read about the fascinating history of Hawaiian ki ho'alu guitar and the musical pioneers who helped shape its sound and legacy.
Since 2008 it's been a who's who of Hawaii's best and brightest talent that we've been so lucky to have onstage in Redondo Beach; from the "masters" to the next generation of Hawaiian musicians.
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 footsteps.
1935 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Redondo Beach, California 90266, United States
Closing out the first half of the 16th annual Slack Key Festival with (from left to right): Kainani Kahaunaele, Sonny Lim, Jim "Kimo" West, Bryan Tolentino, Jeff Peterson, George Kuo, Kamuela Kimokeo, Ka'ihi Kimokeo, Makaha Sons, and hula dancers Annette Kaio (Halau O Lilinoe) & Edieann Heali'i Stanley (Heali'i's Polynesian Revue).
FOX 11's Bob DeCastro enjoys some Tasty Block shave ice as he previews the festival in Redondo Beach with Patrick Landeza & Sons, Jim "Kimo" West, hula dancer Malia (Halau O Lilinoe)
Opening the show featuring an all-star jam in the true Hawaiian backyard "kanikapila" style, featuring legendary slack key musicians (and hula dancers) including: Cyril Pahinui, George Kuo, Jeff Peterson, Jim "Kimo" West, Ken Emerson, Peter Moon, Jeff Au Hoy, Nathan Aweau, Makana, Danny Carvalho, Tom Atwater, Napua Greig, Manalani English (2013 Merrie Monarch winner), Edieann Heali'i Stanley, Kamie Lei Fujiwara
Aaron Mahi ● Alan Akaka ● Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom ● Anthony Pfluke ● Barry Flanagan ● Bob Brozman ● Bobby Ingano ● Bobby Moderow ● Bryan Tolentino ● Cyril Pahinui ● Danny Carvalho ● Dennis Kamakahi ● Ed Gerhard ● Gary Haleamau ● George Kahumoku Jr ● George Kuo ● Greg Sardinha ● Hi'ikua ● Ho'okena ● Ian O'Sullivan ● Ikaika Marzo ● Jeff Au Hoy ● Jeff Linsky ● Jeff Peterson ● Jerry Santos ● Jim "Kimo" West ● John Cruz ● John Keawe ● Justin Firmeza ● Kamuela Kimokeo ● Kainani Kahaunaele ● Kalyn Aolani ● Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole ● Ka'ihi Kimokeo ● Kapono Lopes ● Kawika Kahiapo ● Keao Costa ● Keola Beamer ● Ken Emerson ● Kenneth Makuakane ● Kris Kanoho ● Kunia Galdeira ● Ku'uipo Kumukahi ● Kulāiwi ● Ledward Kaapana ● Lehua Kaapana ● Lorna Lim ● Makaha Sons ● Makana ● Maunalua ● Malie Lyman ● Mitch Chang ● Mike Kaawa ● Namaka Cosma ● Napua Greig ● Nathan Aweau ● Nathan Nahinu ● Nani Lim Yap ● Owana Salazar ● Ozzie Kotani ● Patrick Landeza ● Peter Moon ● PJ Landeza ● Pomaika'i Lyman ● Raiatea Helm ● Sean Parks ● Shawn Ishimoto ● Sonny Lim ● Stephen Inglis ● Steven Espaniola ● Weldon Kekauoha ● Annette Lilinoe Kaio ● Asialynn Yap ● Heali'i Stanley ● Kamie-Lei Fujiwara ● Manalani English ● Namakana Lim ● Pono Fernandez
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