20th Annual Slack Key Festival Sunday in Kona

In 1980, the world lost a great slack key guitar master, Charles Phillip Pahinui, also known as Gabby “Pops” Pahinui.

His legendary contribution to the art and revival of slack key guitar had inspired a tribute and festival to a great son of Hawai’i.

On Sunday, the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa will feature music from slack key artists from noon to 6 p.m.

Hawaiian slack key guitar music, or ki-ho`alu, is an acoustic guitar art where the strings are loosened, or made slack.

When the strings are picked, the sound is rich and lingers in the air.

Expect to see and hear artists such as Ledward Kaapana, Brother Noland, Ben Kaili, John Keawe, LT Smooth, Stephen Inglis, Dennis Kamakahi, Keale, Paul Togioka and more.

There will also be arts and crafts as well as local food favorites at the festival.

A $10 donation at the door grants entry into the day’s festivities.

The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa is located on Ehukai Street off Ali`i Drive in the Keauhou area of Kailua-Kona. For more information visit www.slackkeyfestival.com.