24th Annual Ki Ho‘alu Festival at The MACC

June 25, 2015, 3:00 PM HST
* Updated June 25, 4:14 PM

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By Maui Now Staff

The 24^th annual Ki Ho‘alu Festival, one of Maui’s favorite family events, will return to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s A&B Ampitheater on Sunday, June 28, from 1 to 7 p.m.

Admission is free.

Some of Hawai‘i’s best slack key guitar players will perform a full afternoon of melodious Hawaiian music.

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Ki ho‘alu, translating literally from the Hawaiian as “loosen the key,” indicating the tuning in slack key guitar technique, is a musical tradition dating back to 19^th century paniolo who played around the campfire after completing a day of ranch work.

Slack key has become known as one of the world’s great acoustic guitar methods, especially since the Grammy Awards recognized Hawaiian music as a category all its own.

The lineup of musicians and recording artists this year includes: Bobby Moderow Jr. Stephen Inglis, Paul Togioka, Michael Keale, Glen Smith, Kawika Kahiapo, Aja Gample, Dwight Kanae, Peter Apo, George Kahumoku, Jr. & Friends, Kevin & Ikaika Brown, Danny Carvalho Music, George Kuo, Donald Kaulia and Ola Hou.

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In addition to an afternoon full of music, the festival also features ‘ono-licious food from Maui eateries, including Like Poke…?, the Manapua Bakery, Whole Foods Market Kahului, Shaka Pops, Hawaii Taro Co. and Real Fruit Ice Cream HI.

Attendees can also browse displays of made-in-Hawai‘i products by local crafters.

An abundance of relaxed lawn seating gives the event an informal, local-style atmosphere, making it easy to lounge all afternoon. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets, or lauhala mats and relax on the grassy lawn to fully enjoy the laid-back music by famed guitar players. This is a family-friendly event: All generations can enjoy the slack key guitar tradition, with both new music and classic favorites.

The Ki Ho‘alu Festival is presented by Maui Arts & Cultural Center, sponsored by The Maui News, with additional support from the County of Maui, Art Works, Speedi Shuttle, and Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, and with additional aloha by Pacific Radio Group/KPOA and the Ki Ho‘alu Foundation.

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For more information, call the MACC Box Office at (808) 242-SHOW (7469), or go online.

For more information about Ki Ho‘alu Festivals, go online.

Ki Ho‘alu SlackKey Fest. Photo credit Aubrey Hord.