Described as “dazzling” by the New York
Times, Makana is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, singer, and composer
who is widely known for lending his musical talent for social change. His
guitar playing has been featured on three Grammy-nominated albums, including
the soundtrack of the Academy-Award winning film “The Descendants”. In 2011, at
the apex of the “Occupy” movement, Makana’s song We Are the Many went viral on
YouTube garnering more than half a million views and was coined the “Occupy
Anthem” by Rolling Stone Magazine. His performance of the song at an APEC World
Leaders’ Dinner hosted by the Obamas also went viral and became the #1 news
story on Yahoo worldwide for two days, garnering appearances on CNN, BBC, ABC,
Democracy Now!, Sean Hannity and other major news outlets. Makana’s captivating
and wide-ranging performance style has led him to share the stage with Jason
Mraz and Jack Johnson, open for music legends Sting, Carlos Santana and Elvis
Costello, and perform in venues ranging from Asian and European opera houses to
The White House.
Born and raised in Hawai’i, Makana grew up
on the shores of Waikiki amid the likes of legend Don Ho and young
Elvis-impersonator Bruno Mars. Makana- whose name means “a gift given freely”-
began singing when he was seven years-old, took up ‘ukulele at nine and began
learning the ancient art of slack key at eleven. By fourteen, he was performing
professionally, and before long playing five nights a week. His reputation as
the youngest virtuoso of slack key spread like molten volcanic lava throughout
the islands.
A protégé of the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar
legends, including Bobby Moderow Jr. and the late master Uncle Sonny
Chillingworth, Makana has dedicated his life to perpetuating as well as
evolving the traditional Hawaiian art form. Slack key or Ki Ho’alu, nearly 200
years old and indigenous to Hawai’i, was created by ‘ohana (families) on the
different islands as a very personal folk music expression of their beautiful
surroundings and way of life. The style is characterized by “slacking” the
strings to open chords, thus freeing the hands to alter the sound whilst
self-accompanying with a triad of alternating bass patterns, faux rhythms and
sweet melodies evocative of island atmospheres. Think “three guitars in one!”
From this tradition Makana has evolved his own dynamic, high-octane style,
coined “Slack Rock”: slack key infused with elements of bluegrass, rock, blues
and raga. Makana’s playing has garnered praise from such guitar luminaries as
Kirk Hammett (Metallica) and Pepe Romero (Spanish Flamenco Master). A
contributor to the 2007 Grammy-nominated “Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Vol. I” and
2009 Grammy-nominated “Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Vol II”, Makana is considered one
of the “greatest living players” (Esquire Magazine) whose “instrumental
brilliance bears comparison with the work of such groundbreaking acoustic
guitarists as John Fahey and Michael Hedges” (Maui News).
The focus of Makana’s art is to celebrate
the beauty of tradition while exploring new, relevant perceptions, sounds and
themes. In his music he often honors his forebears, the vintage Hawaiian music
legends as well as the rock poet idols of the 60s, paying homage to the kupuna
(elders) who carry within their Beings the cultural wisdom passed down through
generations.
Makana is also very active in building and
nurturing community and awareness in the fields of food and nutrition, land,
social engineering strategies, health and spiritual growth. His hobbies include
growing food and sowing clarity through philosophy on his blog, Mind Mints.
2014 marks Makana’s 25th Anniversary of
playing guitar. To celebrate, Makana performed at summer festivals in Holland
and France, toured to New Zealand and Australia twice, performed in concert
with Grammy-winning artist Gotye and opened for Leon Russell, sold out shows
from LA (Vibrato) to Seattle (Benaroya Hall), completed a year of sold-out
concerts at the prestigious Kahala Hotel, released “RIPE” (fully funded by fans
via Kickstarter and produced by legends Ron Nevison [Led Zeppelin • The Who]
and Mitchell Froom [Crowded House • Elvis Costello]) AND “25” (a double album
of 25 songs, captured fully in analog and only available at live performances),
headlined concerts with two different symphonies, gave lectures and workshops
on being an indie artist + the art of slack key, sang at countless
environmental rallies in Hawai’i, funded and launched the brand “GOT KULEANA!”
with accompanying PSAs to encourage higher voter turnouts, raised money for
numerous non-profits including Surfrider, the ACLU, and The Thin Green Line
Foundation (who support park rangers), started a new side project Hawaiian band
honoring Gabby “Pops” Pahinui & The Sons of Hawai’i (named on the spot:
“Palaka Pops”), and most memorably, got heckled by the Princess of Thailand,
who brought her entire court to see him perform.
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