One of Hawaii’s leading slack key guitarists, Cyril Pahinui grew up in a time when individual tunings were closely guarded and rarely shared. In the old days, there was an almost mystical reverence for those who understood ki ho’alu, and the ability to play it was regarded as a special gift. Families held their own style of tuning and passed them on from generation to generation. A more open spirit prevails these days and many of our best guitarists openly share their tuning styles.

Cyril will share his knowledge with students this month on Maui at George Kahumoku, Jr.’s eighth annual slack key guitar workshop.

“It’s something worthwhile teaching with workshops,” he says “It’s something that my dad didn’t do for us. It was all eyes and ears, just watch. It was so difficult.”

As the son of one of Hawaii’s greatest musical legends, Cyril feels grateful for all he learned from his father. He grew up in a rich musical environment learning the traditional way, with no formal training, just watching and listening.

The Gabby Pahinui home in Waimanalo provided a rehearsal space and playground for many of Hawaii’s foremost traditional musicians, including slack key masters Leland “Atta” Isaacs and Sonny Chillingworth and ukulele virtuoso Eddie Kamae.

The jam sessions went on all day, sometimes all week. It was especially inspiring for the young, aspiring players, many of whom went on to become today’s leading slack key masters.

“I was taught from my younger days by Pops and Atta and Sonny, they were my masters,” Cyril continues. “I think about dad and Atta and Sonny and I remember what I heard from them. I really appreciate my dad and all his teaching. My father said, ’One day my sons’ time will come.’ My father was a good teacher but it was rough kind, ’You get over here, you do this,’ scolding kind. All that my dad said to me I was going to just suck it up and it paid off. All it cost me was to pay attention and listen and now I can share all the stories.

“Dad opened a lot of doors for a lot of people. So many entertainers know my dad. Even today when I travel in Europe and Japan, people come up with old LPs. My dad made the crossover.

“I always think of him, when I play I feel his presence. By paying attention, now I know what my dad was telling me all about arranging and playing for people. He told me, ’I don’t care if there are only two or four couples, you play until you finish work.’ ”

One of our most gifted guitarists, Cyril, who has played at Carnegie Hall twice, is known for his delicate melodies, creative improvisation and striking percussive sound. Blessed with a beautiful, emotive voice, he’s also one of our leading falsetto singers.

It’s been a number of years since he released a solo recording and in August we’ll hear a new vocal and instrumental work on a new label, working with musician/producer Patrick Lendeza.

“He’s been promoting me and it’s on his new record label,” Cyril explains. “Dennis Kamakahi will also be on it and my brother Martin. Dancing Cat has stopped recording because of finances. My contract with Dancing Cat is done, but I told George Winston, any time he needs me, I’ll be there.”

Earlier in the year, he contributed to a CD of live performances selected from the first year of the Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concerts at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua. This CD also features Ledward Kaapana, Ozzie Kotani, George Kahumoku Jr, Keoki Kahumoku and Daniel Ho.

Winner of the Slack Key Album of the Year award at the Hawaii Music Awards, the recording was just nominated for a Na Hoku for Compilation Album of the Year.

Throughout his long career, Cyril has been bestowed with many awards from his contributions to the Peter Moon Band through his solo work on Dancing Cat.

In 1968, he made his first groundbreaking record with Palani Vaughan and The Sunday Manoa. After time in Vietnam, he returned to the islands and joined his father, brothers, Chillingworth, Isaacs and others in the legendary Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band. The group’s easygoing style and high level of artistry enjoyed great popularity and inspired many young musicians. Cyril played on all five of Gabby’s classic albums on the Panini label.

“Then I had my own group, the Sandwich Isle Band,” he says. “From there I went to the Peter Moon Band and then I was all over in the studio. I like to share and help people arrange music.”

Joining the Peter Moon Band, which also included his brother Martin, he played and sang on four albums including “Cane Fire,” which racked up seven Na Hoku Hanohano awards in 1983, including Album of the Year, Group of the Year and Song of the Year.

Throughout the 1980s, he gigged with steel player Greg Sardinha, his brother Bla and others, and continued to expand his musical horizons.

Then in 1992, accompanied by session heavyweights Ry Cooder, David Lindley and Jim Keltner, Cyril joined his brothers Martin and Bla for the historic “Pahinui Brothers” album. Recorded on Maui, highlights included two traditional songs associated with their father, “Henehene Ko Aka” and “Panini Pua Kea,” and a catchy cover of John Lennon’s classic “Jealous Guy.”

Expectations were high but just as the cover song was being prepared for national release, Cyril left the group.

“I never liked how things went,” recalls Cyril, who only began the project to please his mother. “My mother told us, ’Sons, why don’t you do an album while I’m still living?’ In my heart I said, ’OK I’ll do one album for you.’ Two months before the project, I asked if I could have a contract with clauses for things I wanted. Over a year later, we finished the thing and they gave me a 30-page contract and gave me a couple of days to fill it out. It had you cannot play without permission. I didn’t want to be obligated. I did the recording for my mom. She said one album, she didn’t say five or 10 or play as a group.

“Martin had his own thing going and I had my own thing going. I wanted to be independent. We worked hard on it and everything turned out OK. At that time, the mana was strong. I didn’t mind making the album, but when I went split, it was like my fault. I felt and saw things that my brothers didn’t see. Now they tell me, ’You were right.’

“As far as the brothers, now we’re still brothers and we get together, but as far as making an album together, maybe on a different label. But Martin has his own group and Bla retired from the city. He’s 62 and he told me he kind of like retire. You make an album, you got to go out and promote the thing.”

These days Cyril is content to tour occasionally and play concert halls. “I gave up the nightclub thing, I like to play colleges and theaters,” he says. “My younger days, I used to close the bar and before you know it, the sun is out. Today I have to put it on low gear and take it slow.”

A regular performer at the Slack Key Guitar Concert Series at the Ritz-Carlton, Cyril looks forward to playing on our island.

“I’m so happy that we’re performing at the Ritz-Carlton,” he enthuses. “It’s a high-class place and we get a good crowd. The first time I got there, it was, ’Gee, this place is too high-class for me,’ ” he adds with a laugh.

“I’ve retired from my day job and I really enjoy what I am doing. I do the best I can, be natural, be honest. It’s hard work, it’s not easy, but it all comes from the heart. I’m still shocked and amazed sometimes that when I’m playing, I make people cry. Not only ladies but even guys, too. At concerts they say, ’Cyril, you made me cry. Usually I don’t cry.’ I’m sorry, brother, I’m sorry I made you cry but that’s how it is, straight from the heart.”

Copyright © 2005 — The Maui News

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.