Ledward Kaapana and Mike Kaawa

“…one of Hawaii’s most influential musicians for nearly three decades.” – Craig Harris, Billboard Magazine

“Led Kaapana is a master of slack-key guitar, the open-tuned finger-picking that’s become emblematic of Hawaiian music … he’s a pure virtuoso.” –  Eric Scigliano, Seattle Metropolitan


2011 NEA Heritage awardee, Ledward Kaapana, and long time collaborator, Mike Kaawa, bring the creative joy and intensity of a rural Hawaiian house party to the concert stage. Their album, “Force of Nature” garnered a 2009 Grammy nomination. Growing up in a Big Island village, surrounded by musicians, Ledward mastered slack key guitar, ukulele, and the leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) and nahenahe (baritone ballad) vocal styles. Mike’s 12 string guitar is a perfect complement to the dazzling fret board work of Ledward’s lima wela (hot fingers) style.

“Kaapana is also a revered golden-fingered guru … delightful” – Roots World Magazine

“Led Kaapana is a leader of the slack key renaissance, breathing great life into the music, adept at all elements of the style” – Jamie O’Brien, Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange

“Legends like Ledward Kaapana have brought the art of his ancestors to the mainstream.” – Beth Hillyer, Hawaii News Now, KGMB-TV

Selected Discography:

The Legend – 2010 Grammy Nomination

Force of Nature – 2009 Grammy Award Nomination

Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar – 2006 Grammy Award Winner, Hawaiian Album of the Year

Lima Wela – 1984 Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winner, Instrumental Album of the Year

Contact: John Ullman (206) 545-4460 or John_Ullman@tradarts.com