ALAN AKAKA
Alan Akaka has created his own sound and style, inspired by legends of the steel guitar - David Rogers, Benny Rogers, Jules Ah See, Billy Hew Len, David Keli'i, Jake Keli'ikoa, and his teacher Jerry Byrd. He recorded with Genoa Keawe, Benny Kalama, Sonny Kamahele, Jerry Byrd, Barney Isaacs, Nina Keali’iwahamana, and Karen Keawehawai’i as well as with Hawaiian music bands from around the world. His venues include Waikikiʻs top hotels such as the Halekulani's House Without A Key, Waikiki Beachcomber, Outrigger Main and Outrigger Reef. At his performances Akaka finds joy in sharing Hawaiian music and culture with his audience. He travels throughout the world as an entertainer and guest artist perpetuating Hawaiian music while stirring renewed interest in the unique, lilting sound of the steel guitar. Presently Alan performs weekly at the Waikiki Beach Marriott where he performs with the Keawe ‘Ohana. He is the past president of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association.
In 2009, Akaka established Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i, a school of Hawaiian music where creative and musical ideas can be developed, nurtured, and shared. Ke Kula Mele offers instruction in the steel guitar, ‘ukulele, guitar and “Hawaiian Style” upright bass for all ages..
Alan Akaka has created his own sound and style, inspired by legends of the steel guitar - David Rogers, Benny Rogers, Jules Ah See, Billy Hew Len, David Keli'i, Jake Keli'ikoa, and his teacher Jerry Byrd. He recorded with Genoa Keawe, Benny Kalama, Sonny Kamahele, Jerry Byrd, Barney Isaacs, Nina Keali’iwahamana, and Karen Keawehawai’i as well as with Hawaiian music bands from around the world. His venues include Waikikiʻs top hotels such as the Halekulani's House Without A Key, Waikiki Beachcomber, Outrigger Main and Outrigger Reef. At his performances Akaka finds joy in sharing Hawaiian music and culture with his audience. He travels throughout the world as an entertainer and guest artist perpetuating Hawaiian music while stirring renewed interest in the unique, lilting sound of the steel guitar. Presently Alan performs weekly at the Waikiki Beach Marriott where he performs with the Keawe ‘Ohana. He is the past president of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association.
In 2009, Akaka established Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i, a school of Hawaiian music where creative and musical ideas can be developed, nurtured, and shared. Ke Kula Mele offers instruction in the steel guitar, ‘ukulele, guitar and “Hawaiian Style” upright bass for all ages..
ISAAC AKUNA
Isaac Akuna is a 57 year old musician from Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii. He is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools Kapalama. It was there that he developed a sense of enjoyment playing music in various instrument ensembles including performing with groups that played Hawaiian music. He had always appreciated the sound of the Hawaiian steel guitar, but it was not until after he had completed his formal education and established his business as a dentist that he was able to pursue a serious course of study with his teacher, Jerry Byrd. In the years following Jerry’s course, Isaac has performed for a number of musical groups and agencies. He is currently backing up Kuuipo Kumukahi and has collaborated with her on a number of recording projects. One of them, “Kuuipo, E Hula Mai Me A’u” received 3 nominations for Hoku Awards and won 2010 Best Island Music Album. Another album, “Na Lani Eha” was nominated and received the coveted Album of the Year award in 2008. In addition to recording the steel tracks, he served as co-producer on both of those albums. Isaac currently performs with Ku’uipo and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders at Helumoa in the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki.
Isaac Akuna is a 57 year old musician from Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii. He is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools Kapalama. It was there that he developed a sense of enjoyment playing music in various instrument ensembles including performing with groups that played Hawaiian music. He had always appreciated the sound of the Hawaiian steel guitar, but it was not until after he had completed his formal education and established his business as a dentist that he was able to pursue a serious course of study with his teacher, Jerry Byrd. In the years following Jerry’s course, Isaac has performed for a number of musical groups and agencies. He is currently backing up Kuuipo Kumukahi and has collaborated with her on a number of recording projects. One of them, “Kuuipo, E Hula Mai Me A’u” received 3 nominations for Hoku Awards and won 2010 Best Island Music Album. Another album, “Na Lani Eha” was nominated and received the coveted Album of the Year award in 2008. In addition to recording the steel tracks, he served as co-producer on both of those albums. Isaac currently performs with Ku’uipo and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders at Helumoa in the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki.
EDDIE PALAMA
Eddie Palama was born on August 5, 1946 in Honolulu, HI. He is a self taught steel guitarist and found his first steel guitar in a public trash bin late in life. He cleaned it off and added strings to it. For about a year of extensive practicing day and night, Eddie taught himself to play the steel guitar. Eddie joined the Musicians Union and became a professional steel guitar player the following year.
Eddie has played the steel guitar with some of Hawai'i’s greatest Hawaiian music legends such as Gabby Pahinui, Ata Isaacs, Sonny Chillingworth, Genoa Keawe, Eddie Kamai and Danny Kaleikini. Eddie also recorded for many of the top recording artists in Hawaii such as the Peter Moon Band, Olomana, Teresa Bright, Kehi Brown, Keith and Carmen Hargen, Sandwich Isle Band, Hawaii Loa and Pahinui Brothers.
At times, Eddie can be seen performing at The Hawaiian Village, The Halekulani Hotel and other venues in Honolulu. Currently, Eddie is playing with a band called the Hawaii Loa.
Eddie Palama was born on August 5, 1946 in Honolulu, HI. He is a self taught steel guitarist and found his first steel guitar in a public trash bin late in life. He cleaned it off and added strings to it. For about a year of extensive practicing day and night, Eddie taught himself to play the steel guitar. Eddie joined the Musicians Union and became a professional steel guitar player the following year.
Eddie has played the steel guitar with some of Hawai'i’s greatest Hawaiian music legends such as Gabby Pahinui, Ata Isaacs, Sonny Chillingworth, Genoa Keawe, Eddie Kamai and Danny Kaleikini. Eddie also recorded for many of the top recording artists in Hawaii such as the Peter Moon Band, Olomana, Teresa Bright, Kehi Brown, Keith and Carmen Hargen, Sandwich Isle Band, Hawaii Loa and Pahinui Brothers.
At times, Eddie can be seen performing at The Hawaiian Village, The Halekulani Hotel and other venues in Honolulu. Currently, Eddie is playing with a band called the Hawaii Loa.
EDWARD PUNUA
Edward Lilikalani Punua and his lovely wife, Vanessa, reside on Kaua'i with four children. Edward learned the steel guitar from Barney Isaacs with the help of his mother, kumu hula, Ku'ulei Punua. Uncle Barney would say "go take lessons from Jerry Byrd, he has a good system". But Ku'ulei would say, "No, uncle I want him to learn from you!". Uncle Barney was one of the regular musicians in Waikiki when Ku'ulei danced with Kent Ghirard and the Hula Nani dancers in the 1950's before Ku'ulei and her husband, Victor, moved to Kauai. Today, we honor Uncle Barney, the Isaacs 'ohana and my mom, Ku'ulei, who never gave up to get uncle Barney to finally say "OK, I'll teach you". Mahalo!
Edward Lilikalani Punua and his lovely wife, Vanessa, reside on Kaua'i with four children. Edward learned the steel guitar from Barney Isaacs with the help of his mother, kumu hula, Ku'ulei Punua. Uncle Barney would say "go take lessons from Jerry Byrd, he has a good system". But Ku'ulei would say, "No, uncle I want him to learn from you!". Uncle Barney was one of the regular musicians in Waikiki when Ku'ulei danced with Kent Ghirard and the Hula Nani dancers in the 1950's before Ku'ulei and her husband, Victor, moved to Kauai. Today, we honor Uncle Barney, the Isaacs 'ohana and my mom, Ku'ulei, who never gave up to get uncle Barney to finally say "OK, I'll teach you". Mahalo!
OWANA SALAZAR
Singer Owana Salazar is currently the only known female steel guitar player in Hawaii and is among the few wahine slack key guitar players. Owana’s multiple talents allow her to create fusion between styles of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian and jazz performance without compromising the character and integrity of each composition. Her musical interpretation successfully navigates though different performance styles, reaching out to intimately embrace her audience.
Woven in the fabric of her life is the presence of her Hawaiian ancestry and upbringing in musical knowledge and culture. Born into a musical family, she has literally lived in music from the beginning of her life. She was introduced to ki ho’alu (slack key) by friend Nelson Hiu. Combining rudimentary music theory with her extensive repertoire of Hawaiian songs and the sharing from slack key masters, Owana has shaped her own slack key style. In 1990, Jerry Bryd, renowned as Hawaiian steel guitar “master of touch and tone,” accepted Owana as his student for formal study. In 1992, Owana became the only female student ever graduated by Jerry Bryd.
Owana’s CD, “Wahine Slack ‘n Steel,” is the 2003 Na Hoku Hanohono award winner for Contemporary Album of the Year. In 2005, her new CD “Hula Jazz” won the Hoku award for Jazz Album of the Year. Owana was also nominated for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Favorite Entertainer of the Year. She is also a contributing artist for two Grammy winning CD's, featuring the Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar.
Singer Owana Salazar is currently the only known female steel guitar player in Hawaii and is among the few wahine slack key guitar players. Owana’s multiple talents allow her to create fusion between styles of traditional and contemporary Hawaiian and jazz performance without compromising the character and integrity of each composition. Her musical interpretation successfully navigates though different performance styles, reaching out to intimately embrace her audience.
Woven in the fabric of her life is the presence of her Hawaiian ancestry and upbringing in musical knowledge and culture. Born into a musical family, she has literally lived in music from the beginning of her life. She was introduced to ki ho’alu (slack key) by friend Nelson Hiu. Combining rudimentary music theory with her extensive repertoire of Hawaiian songs and the sharing from slack key masters, Owana has shaped her own slack key style. In 1990, Jerry Bryd, renowned as Hawaiian steel guitar “master of touch and tone,” accepted Owana as his student for formal study. In 1992, Owana became the only female student ever graduated by Jerry Bryd.
Owana’s CD, “Wahine Slack ‘n Steel,” is the 2003 Na Hoku Hanohono award winner for Contemporary Album of the Year. In 2005, her new CD “Hula Jazz” won the Hoku award for Jazz Album of the Year. Owana was also nominated for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Favorite Entertainer of the Year. She is also a contributing artist for two Grammy winning CD's, featuring the Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar.
