Hymns of Hawai‘i Tour Preview May 25 in Napili

Masters of Hawaiian Music: George Kahumoku Jr., Richard Ho‘opi‘i and Kawika
Kahiapo at Napili. MHM photo.

Maui residents and visitors alike are invited to enjoy a special event at George Kahumoku’s Slack Key Show–Masters of Hawaiian Music on Wednesday, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Napili Kai Beach Resort.

The event will be preview of the group’s upcoming “Hymns of Hawai‘i Tour” scheduled for December 2016.

The show will feature solo performances three Hawaiian music stars—George Kahumoku Jr., Kawika Kahiapo and Richard Ho‘opi‘i.

Together, these masters will share their ki-ho‘alu (slack key guitar) and leo ki‘eki‘e (falsetto)—distinctly Hawaiian-style open tunings and vocals.

These three, deeply spiritual masters will perform Hawaii’s most popular hymns.

Kahumoku, an ordained minister, will feature songs from his Hymns of Hawai‘i and other recordings.

Kawika, who is also pastor of a small fellowship on O‘ahu, said, “Love for the islands, it’s people, `ohana and Ke Akua (God), are what inspire me.”

Ho‘opi‘i said his music is a “gift” from God.

“In church, they sang himeni, Hawaiian hymns, and learned harmony and the importance of praising God with our best voice and with all our hearts,”Ho‘opi‘i said.

The show will also feature Slack Key Show ‘ohana Wainani Kealoha, with beautiful hula, as well as Ho‘opi‘i’s wife, Ululani, who will dance for his performance.

Kahumoku, Hawai‘i’s “Renaissance Man, is a multiple Grammy Award winner and star of the weekly slack key show. He and his signature, custom, 12-string slack key guitar accompany vocals and stories. He was nominated for three Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards this year.

Kahiapo, with his rich vocals and nylon-string slack key sound, was nominated for multiple Nā Hōkū awards last year, taking home the prize for “Best Slack Key Album” and “Island Music Album of the Year” in 2015.

The legendary Ho‘opi‘i, falsetto and ‘ukulele master, received the National Endowment of the Arts Folk Heritage award, making him a national treasure. He also received the HARA Lifetime Achievement Award, a Grammy Award and Nā Hōkū Awards.

Make reservations now; seating is limited.

Purchase tickets online or call 669-3858.

General admission, or a show and pre-show dinner (Sea House) package is available.

View Slack Key Show videos online.