“A dynamic force within the
style [of slack key]…dazzling” – New York Times
"He's lean, young, expressive, with impressive
stage presence and jewel box precision… He is a
master, blessed with sizzling showmanship." --
Honolulu Advertiser
"I've been deep into classical music and
Hawaiian slack-key guitar. I've gotten way into
Andres Segovia, and this Hawaiian guitar player
called Makana" --Kirk Hammett, Lead guitarist for
Metallica
Hailing from the isle of O‘ahu, Makana is an internationally acclaimed slack-key guitarist, singer, composer, philosopher, activist, and one of Hawaii’s cultural ambassadors to the world. He is recognized as one of the top guitarists in the United States by Guitar Player magazine, and was honored to receive the prestigious Kī-Hō‘alu (Slack Key) Legacy Award in recognition of his body of work in slack key guitar. Invited for an official showcase at
the renowned SXSW Music Festival, he was included on NPR’s Austin 100 list of must-see shows.
His current show – Makana: The Gift of Slack Key Guitar - is a tribute to the rich history and traditions of Hawaiian music, an appreciation of his mentors, the early masters of slack key guitar, including the legendary Sonny Chillingworth. Through stories ancient to contemporary, historical and cultural context, and songs direct from the masters, Makana brings his phenomenal guitar and vocal skills to illuminate the history of Hawaiian slack key traditions, share insights from his direct musical lineage and his innovations that continue to advance the style, and leave audiences with a deeper exposure and understanding of slack key guitar’s evolution in Hawai‘i.