The Poetry of Hawaiian Music

Destination: Hawaiian Islands
Article Source: Outrigger

Ki hoalu, which translates to English as "loosen the key," is the Hawaiian name for the solo fingerpicked style unique to Hawaii. In this tradition, the strings (or "keys") are "slacked" to produce many different tunings.

Read More

Makana is on the Move

Destination: Hawaiian Islands
Article Source: Outrigger

Playing gigs across Hawaii and on the Mainland.  Recording new material in Los Angeles.  Even meeting President Obama at the White House.  His incredible slack-key guitar skills are on display for those lucky to catch one of his live shows. Read More

An Interview with the Musician Daniel Ho

Destination: Hawaiian Islands
Article Source: Outrigger

Despite winning more Grammy awards than he could safely carry, Daniel Ho remains a kind and giving soul. Speaking with him as he readied for a trip to Japan, he was happy discussing everything from the intricacies of melodic structure to his favorite Hawaiian fish restaurants.

Read More

Special Compilation of Songs Promotes Ocean Conservation

Destination: Hawaiian Islands
Article Source: Outrigger

Four-time Grammy Award winner Daniel Ho, ki-ho‘alu master Kawika Kahiapo and singer-songwriter Jack Jonhson are just a few of Hawaii’s finest musicians to collaborate on a CD dedicated to ocean conservation. Kai Palaoa honors Hawaii’s deep and ancient connection to the ocean and encourages others to help protect and conserve its special treasures. Read More

See How the Ukulele is Made

Dennis Rockney
Destination: Oahu/Waikiki
Article Source: Outrigger

Stacks of rough koa timber beams give way to a small shop filled with sawdust, noisy machinery and fifty or so craftspeople cutting, sizing, sanding, bending, gluing, hammering and forming wood. Everyone works with a singular, determined purpose: to make the industry’s most sought after ukulele.

Read More

The Ukulele: Time for You to Learn

Dennis Rockney
Destination: Oahu/Waikiki
Article Source: Outrigger

Have you ever played an ukulele? Have you picked one up and strummed your fingers (or fingernails) across its soft nylon strings? Have you heard the surprising rich, distinctive tones of those four silky filaments? If you haven’t, you really, really should. “What,” you say, “I’m no musician!” Guess what? It doesn’t matter. 

Read More

Hula Is Perpetuated in Keauhou

Kim Steutermann Rogers
Destination: Hawaii (Big) Island
Article Source: Outrigger

We gathered to enjoy a day of hula, hosted by Kumu Keala and his halau. A total of 12 halau from around Hawaii Island participated in E Mau Ana Ka Hula, a tribute to King David Kalakaua. The youngest members of the Hawaii Island hula halau known as Ka Pa Hula Na Wai Iwi Ola started the procession. Read More

Zanzabar

Destination: Oahu/Waikiki
Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.

Traverse the winding staircase to make a grand entrance at Zanzabar, where DJs spin everything from hip-hop and soul to techno and trance. With three bars, it's easy to find a drink at this high-energy nightspot. Not sure how to get your groove on? Zanzabar offers free Latin dance lessons every Tuesday night. www.zanzabarhawaii.com.

Read More

Waiolu Ocean View Lounge

Destination: Oahu/Waikiki
Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.

Hawaiian bars should have two things: stellar views of the sunset over the ocean and equally awesome mai tais. Both are on offer at the Waiolu Ocean View Lounge at the posh Trump International Hotel. Not only does the bar boast what might be the best view in Waikiki, its resident mixologist Christina Maffei has created a version of the popular cocktail that earned it the title of "World's Best Mai Tai." Judge for yourself. There's live music, ranging from contemporary to Hawaiian to R&B, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, with an attractive crowd showing up around 8 pm. It's busy but not suffocating, and seats are scarce once the music starts at 7:30 pm, so reserve a table in advance. www.trumpwaikikihotel.com.

Read More

Waikiki Aquarium Concerts

Destination: Oahu/Waikiki
Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.

Every other Thursday evening in June and July, the Waikiki Aquarium holds an ocean-side concert series called "Ke Kani O Ke Kai." You can listen to top performers while enjoying food from local restaurants. The aquarium stays open throughout the night, so you can see the marine life in a new light. Bring your own beach chairs. Proceeds support the aquarium, the third oldest in the United States. www.waquarium.org.

Read More