On Saturday, Feb. 7, they performed to a packed house of 400-plus, with fans spilling out into the small balconies at their Manhattan Beach Community Church concert.

The afternoon concert opened with George Kahumoku Jr., Norton Buffalo and Daniel Ho playing
“Lokomaika’i /Amazing Grace.”

The 11 masters switched in and out of the six spots on the stage throughout the concert. A guest hula dancer also performed and was joined in one dance by Peter deAquino.

“And there was great improvisation,” stated Nancy Kahumoku, George’s wife.

At the finale, deAquino led “Uwehe Omi & Slide.” The lively rendition earned a standing ovation, which was the resounding “Hana Hou” heard after they performed “Hawaii Aloha.”

Nancy said the artists on the Grammy-nominated CD treated the enthusiastic audience to an amazing performance.

The performers included Dennis Kamakahi, George Kahumoku Jr., Daniel Ho, Bobby Ingano, Owana Salazar, Keoki Kahumoku, Richard Ho’opi’i, Sonny Lim, Norton Buffalo, Peter deAquino and Sterling Seaton.

Stopping by to listen and wish them well were slack key master Jeff Peterson and Norton Buffalo, a big time blues harp player who will be on Maui Feb. 28 with the Steve Miller Band at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

George Kahumoku Jr. and his talented Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar enjoyed their three-day trip for the concert and the 51st Grammy Awards.

They salute Tia Carrere and Daniel Ho, who won the Grammy for Best Hawaiian Music Album for their duet album ’Ikena, produced by Ho (Daniel Ho Creations).

Daniel Ho Creations also produced the masters’ nominated CD, “The Spirit of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar,” with producers George Kahumoku Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Ho, Paul Konwiser and Wayne Wong.

“Congratulations to Tia, a tremendously talented, gracious, yet humble artist, very deserving of this great honor. Congratulations also to our close friend, Daniel, a multitalented musician on uke, guitar, piano, percussion, and an accomplished composer, arranger, and producer. We are very happy for our friends,” stated George.

The Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series, now in its fifth successful year at Napili Kai Beach Resort, is held Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. George Kahumoku is the musical host of every show, and a different guest artist is featured each week.

Copyright © 2009 The Lahaina News. All rights reserved.

Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series at The Napili Kai Beach Resort, on Maui:
Weekly shows every Wednesday evening (starting Dec 30, 2009) --Showtime at 7:30pm  
Tollfree Reservations: (888) 669-3858,  or info on the web at:  http://www.slackkey.com
Seating is limited so reservations are highly recommended. Tickets are $39.99 before taxes.