Announcing the 15th Annual Slack Key Southern California Festival and Island Market

Kala Koa Entertainment will celebrate 15 years of bringing the biggest and brightest names in Hawaiian music to the mainland with the 2022 Southern California Slack Key Festival returning to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

One of the most acclaimed Hawaiian concerts to ever leave the islands, the Southern California Slack Key Festival takes fans on a musical Hawaiian journey featuring GRAMMY-winning slack key guitarists, the world’s best hula dancers, special guest artists and a free one for the island’s public market.

Since 2008, the Southern California Slack Key Festival has been the largest Hawaiian music concert event in the continental United States and features the most respected names in Hawaiian guitar and hula music today. Taking its name from a style of guitar playing native to Hawaii (as heard on the Grammy-nominated soundtrack for “The Descendants”), the Slack Key Festival brings the artistry of ki ho’alu guitar at Redondo Beach.

This year’s Southern California Slack Key Festival lineup includes George Kuo, Jim “Kimo” West, Jeff Peterson, Patrick Landeza & Sons, Ian O’Sullivan, Pomaika’i & Malie Lyman, Alan Akaka

Jeff Peterson was born on the island of Maui and raised on the slopes of Haleakala where he was introduced to the rich heritage of Hawaiian music by his father, a “paniolo” (Hawaiian cowboy), at Haleakala Ranch. 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-winning recordings and the winner of eight Na Hōkū 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 performance and documentary film and CD soundtrack.

Patrick Landeza & Sons are from “Berkeley Island, California”. Patrick is an award-winning slack key guitarist and teaches slack key guitar at camps and music lessons across the country. He has become the go-to man for Northern California – if not the West Coast – for all things Hawaiian music, a vital bond that unites the Hawaiian community in California. Congratulations to Patrick for winning the 2021 Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Hawaiian Slack Key Album of the Year! Patrick performs today with his sons Justin Firmeza and PJ Landeza on steel guitar and bass respectively.

Ian O’Sullivan has been hailed by classical guitar as “a player of great depth and sensitivity” as well as a “composer who forges a unique repertoire that honors both his Hawaiian roots and his many years of formal training”, Ian O’ Sullivan is a classically trained guitarist and songwriter from the North Shore of O’ahu. Well versed in Hawaiian music and the ‘ukulele, in addition to western classical repertoire, Ian has performed internationally and across the United States as a soloist and with various bands. Past performances include Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, New York Guitar Society, Minnesota Guitar Society, Tokyo Dome and Hawaiian Islands. From 2012-2016, Ian taught at the University of Hawaii and is currently Director of Guitar/Ukulele at Kamehameha Schools, Kapalama Campus.

Pomaika’i & Malie Lyman: A sound track from the past seems to haunt the soul as you hear the voice of a young woman who sounds like beloved aunt Genoa Keawe in her youth – Pōmaikaʻi was able to learn and develop the style unique of “haʻi” that his Tutu Genoa Keawe has mastered and performed in Hawaiʻi and many parts of the world. Now, many who enjoy listening to the music of Genoa Keawe are happy to hear that Pōmaikaʻi has continued the honor and the kuleana to continue this musical tradition and legacy. Mālie, 16, is one of Ke Kula Mele’s new generation steel guitarists. Versatile, she can dance the hula, sing and play several other instruments, including the ukulele.

Malie has been playing steel guitar since 2013. Her interest and enthusiasm has helped her develop her playing ability and confidence. It’s obvious that she enjoys entertaining, whether it’s hula-hopping, singing, or playing a musical instrument.

Alan Akaka is inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame and has created his own sound and style of steel guitar, incorporating the styles of the masters: David Rogers, Benny Rogers, Jules Ah See, Billy Hew Len, David Keli’i, Jake Keli ‘ikoa, and his teacher Jerry Byrd. He has recorded with a number of artists including Genoa Keawe, Owana, Nohelani Cypriano, Nina Keali’iwahamana and Karen Keawehawai’i as well as the Swedish Simons and a number of Japanese artists and bands. Alan founded and led Kamehameha Middle Schools’ Na’ Opio Singers and Hawaiian Ensemble and served as Principal of Kamehameha’s Performing Arts Academy for 16 years. In 2009, he established the Ke Kula Mele Hawai’i School of Hawaiian Music.

For more information visit: http://kalakoa.com/slackkey/