Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa

Led Kaapana is one of the best slack key players alive today, renowned for his finger-pickin’ style, which comes from his family in the days before TV, radio, internet -- it's the authentic down-home sound of Hawai‘i. His vocal range encompasses baritone to Hawaiian falsetto singing (leo ki'e ki'e). Recognition by his peers earned Led four Grammy nominations in his own right and three Grammy wins on slack key compilations. A musical legend, he was honored with an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 2011.

Led Kaapana grew up in a family of musicians in Kalapana, in the southernmost district of Hawaii Island. His teachers included his mother, Mama Tina Kaapana, from whom he learned to sing leo ki'eki'e (Hawaiian falsetto singing), and his uncle, Fred Punahoa. "We didn't have electricity, not television, not even much radio," says Kaapana. "So we entertained ourselves. You could go to any house and everybody was playing music."

Throughout his career, Led has dedicated himself to perpetuating the traditional style and repertoire of his home, beginning in his teens when Led, his twin brother Nedward, and cousin Dennis Pavao formed the musical group Hui ‘Ohana. The group produced 14 best-selling albums, made hundreds of live appearances, and became a key figure in the resurgence of traditional Hawaiian culture and music during the 1970s. Launching a solo career in 1983, Kaapana has continued to garner acclaim for his improvisational melodies and falsetto vocals. His 1983 solo album Lima Wela received the prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano (Hawai‘i’s “Grammy”) award as "Best Instrumental Album"; the honor was repeated in 2000 with his Black Sand CD.

Led also formed the trio I Kona, releasing six albums from 1978-1998, including Jus' Press, which received a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award. He toured with the National Council of Traditional Arts program, "Masters Of The Steel String Guitar", from 1990 to 1992. Kaapana earned Grammy nominations in 2006, 2007, and 2009, and was featured on three of George Kahumoku’s four Grammy-winning compilations from the renowned Slack Key Show on Maui. In 2008, Kaapana formed his own recording company, Jus' Press Productions, and released Force of Nature with 12-string virtuoso Mike Ka‘awa, earning a Grammy nomination and Favorite Entertainer Awards at the 2009 Nā Hōkū Awards. He has won Na Hoku awards for Best Slack Key, Best ‘Ukulele, and most recently Best Anthology Album of 2018.

Kaapana has worked with Nashville musicians Dolly Parton and Chet Atkins (whom he cites as an early influence) and collaborated with Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, and other bluegrass musicians for Waltz of the Wind. In addition, Kaapana has recorded with numerous renowned Hawai‘i musicians, including NEA National Heritage Fellows Aunty Genoa Keawe, the Ho'opi'i Brothers, and Barney Isaacs.
 

Mike Kaawa is Hawai’i’s finest 12-string guitar player and one of its most highly regarded musicians. Known as “The Hawaiian Boy”, he describes his music as “Hawaiian with attitude”. He started performing at a young age and briefly flirted with rock-and-roll before committing himself to Hawaiian music. He is a regular at Hawaii’s Slack Key Festivals and popular venues. A captivating performer, Mike has created his own unique, robust sound in his playing, with a distinct vocal expression that comes straight from the heart. Often teaming up with Led Kaapana, they released Force of Nature late 2008 which earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hawaiian Music Album. His hula dancer sister Aurora Kaawa has won accolades in her own right, including being crowned Miss Hawai‘i.