Discover the soulful sounds of Hawaiian slack key guitar at the Slack Key Guitar Festival - Kona Style 2026, a family-friendly event celebrating this treasured tradition. 

Hawaiian slack key guitar, known as ki ho'alu in Hawaiian (meaning "loosen the key"), represents one of the world's most distinctive guitar techniques. This fingerstyle method involves changing the tuning of guitar strings to create open chord harmonies, allowing players to produce complex melodies and bass lines simultaneously. The 29th annual festival continues a tradition of preserving and celebrating this uniquely Hawaiian art form that emerged in the 19th century when Mexican and Spanish cowboys (vaqueros) brought guitars to the islands.

Featuring some of Hawaii's finest artists and musicians including Brother Noland, Bobby Moderon, Kahiau Lam Ho, Kailua Noon, Anthony Pfluke, Blayne Asing, Stephen Inglis, Ryder Briley, Kamuela Kahoano, Sonny Lim, Darell Aquino, Keoki Kahumoku, Ira Varize, Nicah Lau.

Get your tickets HERE.
Turn the festival into a weekend getaway and book your room here. All the fun happens on property! 

Doors open at 12:00 PM, with the main performances beginning at 1:00 PM and continuing until 5:00 PM. The festival welcomes all ages, making it a perfect family event for those wanting to experience authentic Hawaiian culture. Paid venue parking is available at the resort.