Slack Key Sounds of 1960s Waikīkī
Honoring Sonny Chillingworth, Don Ho, and Kui Lee

Join us for an experience that will feel as intimate and magical as being in Honeyʻs Lounge back in the 60s with Sonny, Don Hoʻs band director, and other music legends of that era. Pull out your vintage and together let’s revisit the past styles and charms of Hawaii prior to Hawaii’s music renaissance of the 1970s!

“I was watching old videos of my kumu, Uncle Sonny, and realized his unique slack key sound was partly attributed to a specific guitar - a 1964 Chet Atkins 6120. So I went searching on the internet, found one, and had it restored. The sound is incredible and just like Sonny’s! At Kahilu Iʻll be performing classic material on this guitar for the first time ever.”

— Makana

Mahalo to our Hawai‘i Artist sponsors for the 2024/25 Season: Kate Bell & Tom Blackburn, Carl & Marilyn Bernhardt, Fred Dosher & Carol Greenwell, Marianne Falkner, Suzanne Hill, Thomas Kapp & Cynthia Roher, Cathi Keene, Marsha & Tom Kerley, Ken & Robin Key, Pamela Livingston, Bob & Nancy Male, Lee & Betty Meyerson, Naka Nathaniel & Meredith Artley, Francis & Susy Ruddle, Jill E. & Neil A. Sheffield, and Frank Snow