A Slack Key Waltz from Kailua

Welcome to Kaleponi Records, my musical home on the web. My name is Fran Guidry, and I play kika ki hoʻalu or Hawaiian slack key guitar.

Kaleponi is the Hawaiian word for California, where I live. Ki hoʻalu, or slack key, has a direct link to California history. The guitar was carried to the Big Island of Hawaiʻi by vaqueros from California. You can read more about the history of slack key guitar on the Dancing Cat Records web site.

Slack key guitar is named for the retuning that characterizes the style. Most of these new tunings feature loosened, or slackened, strings which give a deep rich sound.

My personal slack key history goes back to 1999 and my first visit to Hawaiʻi. When we turned on the TV in our Waikiki hotel room I was captivated by the playing of Keola Beamer. I knew in an instant that I had to learn to play this beautiful music. Over the years I've learned from great players and teachers like Ozzie Kotani, Keola himself, Patrick Landeza, Kevin Brown, Cyril Pahinui, Kawika Kahiapo, Raymond Kane, Dennis Kamakahi, and Ledward Kaapana.

Friday, October 19th, 2012

It’s wonderful to be back in Kailua visiting friends and enjoying the exquisite fall weather, warm sun shining and trade winds blowing sweetly. I’ve been strolling around the neighborhood looking for a spot to shoot a video, and when I got to the rise leading into Lanikai I knew I had my location. The view across Kailua Bay from there is inspiring.

I’ve been playing Queen Lili`uokalani’s Ahe Lau Makani for a while now, enjoying the lilting melody of this charming waltz. A song about Hawai`i’s breezes seemed perfect for the location.

I’m still on the lookout for new locations, and working up some new tunes, so I hope I’ll be able to capture another clip or two before we head for home. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy a brief view of one of my favorite places.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 19th, 2012 at 9:48 am and is filed under Videos. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.