Woven in the fabric of her life, is the presence of her Hawaiian ancestry and upbringing in musical knowledge and culture. Throughout her years as a performing artist, Owana also involves herself with projects relating to Hawaiian history, culture and sovereignty. As a descendant of Hawaiian royalty, Owana lives her life in commitment to upholding the standards of a great cultural legacy. Because her entire family was very musical, she literally lived in music from the beginning of her life. She later shaped her performing skills at The Kamehameha Schools and then became a music major at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, studying voice, music theory, guitar, piano and dance.

While at Manoa Campus, Kīhō`alu (Slack Key), a Hawaiian style of playing the guitar intrigued her musical mind. She was introduced to the world of Kīhō`alu by friend, Nelson Hiu. Combining rudimentary music theory with her extensive repertoire of Hawaiian songs and her newfound friend, Slack Key, Owana developed her playing skills. The sharing from slack key masters such as, George Kuo, Bla Pahinui, Cyril Pahinui, Dennis Kamakahi, George Kahumoku, Jr., Ledward Ka`apana and the influence of the late, Gabby “Pops” Pahinui and Sonny Chillingworth, helped to shape Owana’s own slack key style.

In 1990, Jerry Byrd, renowned as Hawaiian steel guitar “master of touch and tone” accepted Owana as his student for formal study. After eleven lessons, Owana received a full scholarship from the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association. HSGA is a world organization whose mission and only requirement for membership is the love and promotion of Hawaiian music. In 1992, Owana became the only female student ever graduated by Jerry Byrd.

Her first recording in 1986, "Owana and Ka`ipo, In Kona" was final ballot nominee in the category of Most Promising Artist in the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, an island music industry salute. The following year, her second recording, “Owana”, was final ballot nominee for Contemporary Hawaiian Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. Owana's CD "Wahine Slack ‘n Steel" won the 2003 Hoku Hanohano Award for Contemporary Hawaiian Album of the year!

Her latest CD, is "Hula Jazz" which won the 2005 Hoku Hanohano Award for Jazz Album of the year.  Owana was also nominated in 2005 for: Album Of The Year,  Song Of The Year ("Hula Jazz"),  Female Vocalist Of The Year,  Favorite Entertainer of the Year, and for Best Engineering Technical Award.

Outside of Hawai`i, Owana has performed in Japan, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia and America. In January 2000, Owana was the first woman to tour with the Hawaiian Slack Key Festival along with George Kahumoku, Jr., Keoki Kahumoku and Daniel Ho. In October 2002, Owana had the privilege of touring with Hawaiian Slack Key Legend, Ledward Ka`apana.  Both tours enjoyed numerous sold out performances at theaters, cultural centers and concert halls.

Owana Salazar uses the following tunings:
    Guitar: Taro Patch G; D; D6; C9 and Standard.
    Steel Guitar: C6 and B11.
    Ukulele: Standard tuning GCEA.

Owana is featured on our newest compilation CD: Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar (Daniel Ho Records), the 50th Annual Grammy Award winner for Best Hawaiian Music Album.

For more information on Owana, visit www.owanasalazar.com Lyrics and translations to much of her work is available on her site.

See Owana perform in The Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series at the Napili Kai Beach Resort, Maui on Wednesday, June 04, 2008.

Owana previously performed in this series at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on February 13, 2008 and before that at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on October 24, June 6 and January 24, in 2007 and before that September 27, and April 5, of 2006 and in previous years on October 26,  August 16, and April 19, 2005 and on October 26 and May 25, of 2004 and November 18, 2003.