28th Annual Kī Hō‘alu Festival at the MACC, June 23

One of Maui’s favorite music events returns to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Sunday, June 23, with the 28th Annual Kī Hō‘alu Festival in the A&B Amphitheater.

It’s an all-afternoon affair, annually enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, with some of Hawaiʻi’s best slack key guitar players performing Hawaiian music from 1 to 7 p.m. As always, the Kī Hō‘alu Festival is FREE, and a family-friendly event where all generations can appreciate the slack key guitar tradition, with both new music and classic favorites.

Photo: File, Brother Noland at the 2018 Kī Hō‘alu Festival. PC: Amity Mason / courtesy Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

The line-up of musicians and recording artists this year includes: Halemanu, Lance Takamiya, Brother Noland, Danny Carvalho, Michael Ka’awa, Wilson Kanakaole, Tavana, Dwight Kanae, John Keanaaina, Ka‘eo, Kamuela Kahoano, Pa‘ani, Wesley Furumoto, Will Tafolo, Aja Gample, Jonah Domingo, and George Kuo! (artist list subject to change)

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. At the MACC, slack key guitar music is celebrated in a laid-back atmosphere in the annual Kī Hō‘alu Festival, making it easy to linger all afternoon.

The setting is informal: festival-goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets, or lauhala mats and relax on the grassy lawn to fully enjoy the melodious music by famed guitar players. (Sorry, no large duffels/bags, umbrellas, or outside food and beverage can be allowed into the amphitheater, in compliance with legal and safety considerations.)

Besides an afternoon full of music, the Kī Hō‘alu Festival also features Island-based crafters with displays of made-in-Hawai‘i products; Maui eateries/food trucks will serve a variety of tasty lunch and dessert options. For more information, visit the calendar of events at MauiArts.org or call the MACC Box Office at (808) 242-SHOW (7469).

This annual Kī Hō‘alu Festival, now in its 28th year on Maui, is presented by Maui Arts & Cultural Center, sponsored by: The Maui News, and produced by the Kī Hō‘alu Foundation and KaHoku Productions. The festival is supported by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the County of Maui, and SpeediShuttle/Arthur’s Limousine, with additional aloha by Pacific Radio Group/KPOA, the Kī Hō‘alu Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Rhythm & Roots Records, One Way Media, SRKL Productions, and Taylor Guitars.