The Pacific Ocean provides a breathtaking backdrop as the 29th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style unfolds at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa. This festival offers four hours of soulful, authentic Hawaiian music, celebrating a tradition as ancient as the Big Island's first cattle ranchers. Set for Sunday, October 18, 2026, this event is free, outdoors, and open to all.
"The most soulful and most distinctively Hawaiian music on earth — free, outdoors, open to everyone."
The Story of Slack Key Guitar
Hawaiian Tradition with Global Recognition
Ki-hoʻalu, or slack key guitar, is a unique acoustic guitar tradition born in Hawaiʻi. The term means "to loosen the key", referring to the practice of detuning the guitar strings to create open tunings with a rich harmonic resonance. This tradition traces its roots back to the early 19th century when Spanish and Mexican vaqueros brought guitars to Hawaiʻi. The local musicians embraced the instrument, developing unique tunings and techniques that became a family and community tradition.
- Spanish and Mexican vaqueros introduced guitars to Hawaiʻi in the 19th century.
- Hawaiian musicians created open-string slack tunings and unique playing techniques.
- Initially a private tradition, slack key was shared within families and communities.
- The 1970s Hawaiian cultural renaissance brought slack key into the public eye.
The 2026 Experience
A Day of Music and Culture
The 29th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style promises an exceptional musical journey. Twelve artists will perform, showcasing the full range of the contemporary slack key tradition. The lineup will be confirmed by June 1, 2026, and published at facebook.com/slackkeyfestivals.
- 12 artists perform sequentially with solo sets of 15 to 20 minutes each.
- 4 hours of continuous live music from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
- Outdoors at the Outrigger Kona Resort, offering a stunning oceanfront setting.
- Refreshments and island food available from local vendors.
- Island crafts from artisan vendors complement the music programme.
Into the Woods at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
A Venue with a View
The Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, located at 78-128 Ehukai Street in Kailua-Kona, is renowned for its stunning location above the ocean at Keauhou Bay. This venue offers a perfect blend of world-class Hawaiian music and breathtaking natural beauty. Keauhou Bay is also famous for its manta ray feeding grounds, making it a unique spot for combining cultural and natural experiences.
"Combining the afternoon Slack Key Festival with an evening manta ray snorkel at Keauhou gives the October 18 visit its own complete arc from culture to nature."
The Legacy of Grammy Recognition
Celebrating a Musical Heritage
The slack key guitar tradition has earned significant recognition, including a dedicated Best Hawaiian Music Album category at the Grammy Awards in 2005. This acknowledgment highlights the tradition's evolution from a private practice to a celebrated art form. Many Grammy winners and nominees regularly participate in the festival circuit, offering a Grammy-caliber experience at a community-friendly price.
- The Grammy Awards recognized Hawaiian music with a dedicated category in 2005.
- Regular festival participants include multiple Grammy winners and nominees.
- The tradition is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Practical Tips for Festival Day
Getting the Most Out of Your Experience
- Tickets ($20–$25) — Purchase at the Ki-Hoʻalu Foundation Facebook page or at the gate.
- Arrive early — Doors open before the 1:00 PM start. Arrive by 12:30 PM for the best seating.
- Bring sunscreen and a hat — The outdoor setting is sunny and exposed.
- Combine with a manta ray snorkel — Book an evening snorkel at Keauhou Bay for a full day of activities.
- Full artist lineup — Published after the June 1, 2026, music deadline.
- Follow @slackkeyfestivals on Facebook for updates and news.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Things People Always Want to Know
When is the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style 2026?
Sunday October 18, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM — fully confirmed.
Which edition is 2026?
The 29th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style.
Where is it held?
Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
What is the admission price?
$20 – $25.
Who organizes it?
Ki-Hoʻalu Foundation — Milton Lau, Show Director.
How many artists perform?
12 artists across the 4-hour show.
Is there a free version on another island?
Yes — the 35th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Maui Style on June 28, 2026 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center is completely free.
What is ki-hoʻalu?
The Hawaiian name for slack key guitar — meaning "to loosen the key" — a uniquely Hawaiian open-tuning guitar tradition born from the vaquero cowboys of the Big Island's Waimea ranching community.
Verified Information at a Glance
- Event: 29th Annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival – Kona Style
- Date: Sunday October 18, 2026, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM — fully confirmed
- Venue: Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
- Admission: $20 – $25
- Artists: 12 performers across 4 hours
- Organizer: Ki-Hoʻalu Foundation — Milton Lau, Show Director
- Facebook: facebook.com/slackkeyfestivals
- Music artist deadline: June 1, 2026
- Maui companion event: 35th Annual – Maui Style, June 28, 2026, Maui Arts & Cultural Center — Free
- Nearest airport: Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) — 20–25 min
- October calendar companions: Hawaiʻi Food & Wine Festival Big Island (Oct 16–17), Ironman World Championship (late Oct)
- Best for: Hawaiian music lovers, slack key guitar enthusiasts, acoustic guitar tradition travelers, Grammy music culture visitors, Big Island cultural heritage travelers, Kona coast visitors, families, kanikapila Hawaiian music culture enthusiasts, Na Hoku Hanohano Award fans, IsleRush Hawaiʻi Island island editorial
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