LAHAINA, MAUI--The Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series
has a new home at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on Maui. The concert
series, formerly at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, has been operating at
Napili Kai since the Ritz-Carlton closed for renovations in July of
this year.
Concert promoter Paul Konwiser said, “Since our relocation we’ve come
to love the local style atmosphere of Napili Kai’s Hale Aloha
Pavilion. It seems like a good fit for the theme of our show. The
resort’s hospitality has made it possible to continue doing shows
each week during the Ritz-Carlton’s closure. We’re very pleased that
in over four years we’ve never missed a weekly performance.”
Co-producer Wayne Wong expressed gratitude to the Ritz-Carlton, and
its cultural affairs director Clifford Nae’ole for four wonderful
years. “Back in 2002 we went to every hotel on Maui looking for a
place to do our show. Only Clifford and the Ritz-Carlton responded
by welcoming the concert series. We had no track record, and they
took a big chance on us.”
In the succeeding four years the concert series has played to nearly
30,000 people and CD’s of music recorded live at the show have
earned two Grammy awards for Best Hawaiian Music Album in 2006 and
2007. The series has featured the artistry of many of Hawaii’s most
renowned musicians, including Ledward Kaapana, Cyril Pahinui, Dennis
Kamakahi, Uncle Richard Ho’opi’i, Auntie Genoa Keawe and our regular
weekly musical host George Kahumoku, Jr.
Show host and co-producer Kahumoku commented: “We’re very grateful to
the Napili Kai Beach Resort for hosting our show. Thanks to the
special attention from the resort staff, and the wonderful backyard
feel of the Hale Aloha Pavilion where we do our shows, we feel right
at home there.”
Konwiser summed up the transition: “We credit the success of the past
with gratitude to Clifford and the Ritz-Carlton, and we look to the
future with the Napili Kai Beach Resort.”
The weekly concerts are held at the Napili Kai Beach Resort every
Wednesday evening at 7:30pm. Tollfree Reservations can be made by
calling (888) 669-3858. Tickets are priced at $45. More information
and the ongoing performance schedule of artists are posted on the
website at www.slackkey.com.
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About Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Productions, Inc
Founded for the love of the music and grounded in the concept of aloha, Hawaiian
Slack Key Guitar Productions, Inc is dedicated to perpetuating and
preserving traditional Hawaiian music, especially the unique Hawaiian
acoustic guitar art form known as “Ki-ho’alu” (Hawaiian Slack Key).
The Hawaii corporation develops programs, events and the concert series to create a
deeper awareness and understanding of this authentic Hawaiian cultural
art form. View the ongoing performance schedule of artists on the
website www.slackkey.com. | 
