LOS ANGELES, CA -Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar – Live in
Concert from Maui has been awarded the 50th Annual Grammy
Award for Best Hawaiian
Music Album. The
CD contains music recorded from the Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key
Guitar Concert
Series at Napili Kai Beach Resort on Maui. The concert series is now
in its fifth year, and
CD’s of music recorded live at the shows also won Grammys in 2006
and 2007. Among the artists attending the awards ceremony were Sterling Seaton who
turned twenty the
day before the Grammys, and Uncle Richard Ho’opi’i, who is the
oldest of the group.
Producer Paul Konwiser said, “In our concert series on Maui and in
these recordings, we
try to support and encourage the established artists as well as
bring recognition to the
next generation of Hawaiian musicians.”
The album showcases music from some of the very best Hawaiian slack
key guitar artists,
including George Kahumoku Jr. and Daniel Ho (both of whom also
produced), Ledward
Kaapana, Cyril and Martin Pahinui, Dennis Kamakahi, Owana Salazar
and Keoki
Kahumoku. Keoki has been a performer on each of the four CD’s that
have won the
Hawaiian Grammy. Also included on the album is legendary Hawaiian
falsetto singer
Uncle Richard Ho’opi’i, top Hawaiian steel guitar player Bobby
Ingano, and popular
young ukulele artists Peter deAquino and Garrett Probst. This is the
first recording for
newcomer Sterling Seaton. Wayne Wong and Paul Konwiser are the other
two producers
of this year’s winning compilation.
This album includes the first Grammy-winning track by a wahine artist.
“We were
delighted when Owana Salazar agreed to come on board. She is a most
gifted female
slack key vocalist, and she plays both Hawaiian steel and slack key
guitar,” said
Kahumoku. In addition to slack key guitar and other instrumental
music, eight of the
Treasures album’s twelve tracks are vocals sung in the Hawaiian
language. “There’s been
some controversy about vocal vs. instrumental albums in the Hawaiian
category. We
want people to know that our album is primarily vocal, and the songs
are sung in the
Hawaiian language.” said Konwiser.
The concerts take place every Wednesday evening at Napili Kai Beach
Resort on
Napili Bay in West Maui. Tollfree Reservations can be made by
calling (888) 669-3858.
Tickets are priced at $45. More information and the artist schedule
for the Masters of
Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Concert Series can be found 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.
Digital photos of the artists are available on request. | 
