Biography

Born and raised on O'ahu, Hawai’i, Makana is an internationally acclaimed slack key guitarist, singer, composer, and activist. He has been called: “the greatest living player” by Esquire magazine; “a dynamic force” by The New York Times; “master of the Hawaiian slack-key guitar” by The Seattle Times. The prestigious National Geographic Society notes that he is “charting a new sonic frontier with deep ties to tradition.” Makana’s captivating and wide-ranging performance style has led him to share the stage with Jason Mraz, Gotye and Jack Johnson, open for music legends diverse as Sting, Carlos Santana, Elvis Costello, Leon Russell, Common, and No Doubt as well as perform in venues ranging from Asian and European opera houses to The White House. A student of the legendary Hawaiian slack key guitar master Sonny Chillingworth, his music ranges from traditional to highly original, exploring a broad spectrum of genres, styles and themes. Makana's songs have been featured on 3 Grammy-nominated albums: “Hawaiian Slack Key Kings, Vol. 1 and 2,” and the soundtrack for the Academy Award winning movie “The Descendants”. Makana’s score of a national campaign for the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau won a Pele Award, Hawai‘i’s top award for excellence in advertising and design. The Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, considered the Grammys of Hawaiian music, awarded him the “Slack Key Legacy Award” in 2012.