Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 8, 1 August 2000 — Bankoh Kī Hōʻalu Festival set for the Royal [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Bankoh Kī Hōʻalu Festival set for the Royal

By Manu Boyd ĪHE ROYAL Hawaiian Hotel is for the second time the site for the Bankoh Kī Hō'alu Hawaiian SlackKey Guitar Festival, Aug. 20, 2-7:30 p.m. For 18 years, the festival has brought the best guitarists to the forefront including such late greats as Gabby Pahinui, Atta Isaacs and Sonny Chillingworth. This year's line-up represents a cross-section of veterans and newer contenders who are true to the genre yet have, individually, techniques of their own. Performing are Weldon Kekauoha, George Kuo, Sean Na'auao, Maunalua, HAPA, Martin Pahinui, Brother Noland, Mike Ka'awa, Dennis Kamakahi, Makana, Ho'okena, Owana Salazar and surprise guests. According to long-time festival producer Mihon Lau of Ka Hōkū Productions, planning the event is not without its hurdles. "My biggest challenge is in keeping eommunieahon open with the many artists. Eaeh is loaded with commitments, either performing or recording, so it's not always easy to pin them down," he said.

"Because kī hō'alu has grown in popularity, many of our 'regulars' are out of town performing. In fact, Cyril (Pahinui), Led (Ka'apana), Oz (Kotani) and George (Kahumoku) will be in Germany." Another regular, Raymond Kāne, will no doubt be soaking in the sounds, keeping an eye on many of his students. For a decade, Lau, has organized tours of performers who have gigged up and down the West Coast, Las Vegas and all the way to

Washington, D.C. "The West Coast is a real 'hot bed' for slack-key guitar with its huge loeal populahon. So many more people are getting into it. And when we go to the East Coast, we always sell out," said Lau. "People like George Winston and Dancing Cat Records have

really helped take kī hō'alu far nationally. Their commitment and love have been wonderful for the artists, for Hawai'i, and, of course, the fans. Kī Hō'alu is also big in Japan." g Head for the Royal o Hawaiian Hotel's coconut | grove Aug. 20, bring a 5 mat or a low back rest and Q | be ready for hours of 2 great guitar. The festival is free, and parking will be vahdated at the Sheraton Waikīkī garage. The

18th Bankoh Kī Hō'alu Hawaiian Slack-Key Guitar Festival will air on Island Television KITV-4 in September. ■

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