Tag: Ledward Kaapana

Ho’olu komo la kaua! Come Join Us!

by Jenny Chissus

OK, so you may or may not have been exposed to Hawaiian Slack Key guitar music before – so I had to give you a glimpse – and share this video of one of the THREE INCREDIBLE artists that are coming to Seldovia on September 23rd to play for us.  This short video highlights Ledward Kaapana!  Don’t miss this fantastic concert – we are so very lucky to have this caliber of artist coming to our beautiful community!  Thank you to the Seldovia Arts Council and Susan Mumma for making this connection and bringing these masters to town!  Let’s show them some great Alaska/Hawaii Aloha Spirit!

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, Ledward has dedicated himself to perpetuating the traditional style and repertoire of his home, beginning in his teens with the musical group Hui ‘Ohana which produced 14 best-selling albums 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. Recognition by his peers earned Led four Grammy nominations in his own right and three wins on slack key compilations. He has won multiple N? H?k? Hanohano(Hawai‘i’s “Grammy”) awards, including Favorite Entertainer of the Year in 2009.www.ledkaapana.com

Biographical information is taken from the press release prepared by Pasifika Artists Network LLC.  More about each artist may be found on his website.

Masters of Hawaiian Music:

George Kahumoku Jr,

Led Kaapana,

“Uncle” Richard Ho‘opi‘i   

coming to Seldovia with much Aloha and fun. 

September 23 

Bring your family to this community event at

Susan B. English School

Alaskan/Hawaiian Potluck at 6:30 P.M.

 Special performance at 7:30 P.M.

Tickets:  $15.00  for adults, $8.00 for children and $35.00 For families.