GENERAL
George Kahumoku Jr.’s workshop provides students with numerous music and cultural activities and classes. Students with varied experience can choose from several levels of classes from beginning to advanced Hawaiian slack key guitar and ‘ukulele. In 2024, a full Cultural track will again be offered for people wishing to learn about Hawaiian culture and crafts but not wanting to play a musical instrument. Culture classes include lei and lauhala making, hula, oli (chant) and Hawaiian language and cooking. Singing, voice, choir, and a beginner's introduction to 'ukulele are also offered.
Spouses or partners who do not wish to take instructional classes are offered a reduced fee which includes all meals, t-shirt, ticket to the Wednesday night Slack Key Show, auditing selected lecture/demo classes, and enjoying the evening kani ka pila (jam session).
For the Music Track students, the workshop also includes the opportunity to schedule private lessons with any of the music instructors at no extra fee. Sign up lists are available each day, so students can choose lesson dates and times that best suit their class schedules.
At the conclusion of the workshop all students will have the opportunity to perform as a group, along with George Kahumoku, Jr. and a number of the instructors, at the Slack Key Masters Show on the final day of the Workshop. The event is also streamed live over the internet, so friends and family back home can watch.
For Music Track students, the workshop fee includes a Song Book and an extensive informational booklet titled “Dis N Dat” which describes guitar and ukulele tunings, chords, various “runs” on the fretboards, and instructional fingering exercises to practice.
For Culture Track students, most materials are covered (flowers for lei making, coconut weaving materials, lauhala bracelet kits, for example). There may be a modest materials fee for some projects such as cloth for performance skirts or extra bracelet kits for the enthusiastic.
Each Workshop student receives a beautifully designed workshop T-shirt for wearing to the final performance and to keep as a souvenir.
SCHEDULE
On day 1, students check in at the Napili Kai. Classes begin the next morning - breakfast buffet is open at 7:30 and we all assemble in the Aloha Pavilion by 8:30. Formal classes begin at 9:15. Lunch is served buffet style at noon, then classes begin again after lunch at 1:00 and continue into the afternoon. Dinner is at 6:00, again buffet style, and all meals include vegetarian selections, as well as highly nutritious and delicious island fare. Sometimes meals are catered by the hotel. Other meals are prepared by George Kahumoku, Jr. and his talented staff. Kitchen volunteers are always welcome.
George also offers an early morning class in preparing traditional Hawaiian “laulau”, which are steamed until dinnertime and served as part of an awesome, full luau dinner. You will not go hungry here!
Kani ka pila is from 7:30 pm until 9 pm most evenings at the Napili Kai’s Aloha Pavilion. Dessert is served after the kani ka pila.
Wednesday evening, all of the instructors will perform at George’s weekly Slack Key Show, All registered students & companions will have free admission to this show.
Accommodations/Lodging
How can I find a roommate for the workshop at the Napili Kai?
Each year, about 3 months prior to the workshop, we send out a link to a room and ride share list. Students can sign up to share a room, or to find someone who has a room to share. This list is also used for sharing rides to and from the airport in Kahului.
How do I make a room reservation at the Napili Kai Beach Resort at the special discounted workshop rate?
The Workshop will begin accepting room reservations at the Napili Kai or workshop participants beginning October 1, 2024, when workshop registration has opened. The discounted rates for the 2025 workshop are $275 (hotel room – no kitchen) and $280 (studio, with kitchen) per night, plus local and state taxes. This compares to their normal room rates that start at $450 per night.
To obtain the workshop discount rate, participants must request reservations by using the Workshop Room Reservation Web Page. A link to this page is provided on the confirmation screen when the online workshop registration process is completed. Please do not call the hotel about workshop reservations; they will advise you to use the online Workshop Room Reservation Page.
Where else do participants stay?
There are several other hotels and condos on Napili Bay to choose from. The Napili Kai Beach Resort is the workshop host hotel and offers a very competitive rate. Next door is the Mauian Hotel and the Napili Village, the closest to the workshop. There are many choices in the area, but keep in mind there is a big advantage to living “on campus.” Having a place to take a quick nap, or practice quietly, and not have to commute will help keep in check the fatigue everyone feels at some time during the week. The workshop is very intense.
The Napili Kai Beach Resort is offering a special room rate for workshop students. You can make a reservation at this special rate by completing the form on the Workshop Room Registration Page. A link to this page will be provided on the kahumoku.com web site when workshop registration opens on October 1st, 2024.
Where is the workshop held?
The workshop is held at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on Napili Bay, West Maui, Hawaii.
What level of hula, lauhala weaving, or lei-making do I need for the workshop?
There are no required skills for these cultural classes.
What minimum skill level is required to take slack-key guitar?
It is recommended that you be able to play at least one song in standard tuning and have a knowledge of basic chord positions.
When is registration for the workshop and how does it work?
Registration for the 2025 Workshop opens on October 1, 2024 when an early-bird discount registration rate is available. You can register online through this website, through a link on the main Workshop page.
When is the workshop in 2025 and when should I book flights?
Dates for the 2025 Workshop are June 4-12, 2025.
Official registration begins with check-in and registration pack pick-up on Wednesday afternoon, June 4th at the Napili Kai Aloha Pavilion. Registered students will be able to attend the Masters of Slack Key Show that evening.
Classes begin on Thursday morning, extending though Tuesday afternoon, with the final Student Performance on the final Wednesday evening, June 5th.
General Workshop Questions
My family wants to come to participate in some activities. Is that ok?
Family members or companions can sign up for a "companion plan", which entitles them to all meals and a ticket to the Masters of Slack Key Show. See the Workshop page on the website for pricing information.
What is the workshop tuition?
Music Track: This is the full workshop program that entitles the participant to attend all music and cultural track classes. Tuition is $2500. Music Track tuition includes all instruction (group and private lessons) in all subjects (guitar, ukulele, vocal, culture), workshop t-shirt, one ticket to the Slack Key Show at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on Wednesday evening, lunch and dinner meals, the Workshop Songbook and Dis ‘n Dat theory/chord book. Registrations received before Feb. 1, 2025 will receive a $100 early bird discount on Music and Curlture Tracks.
Culture Track: Regular tuition is $2000. This track includes Coconut weaving, Lauhala Weaving, Lei Making, Hula, Hawaiian chanting and language, Hawaiian fishing traditions, Hawaiian Plants, and Hawaiian Cooking.
The workshop also offers a “Companion” rate of $700 for spouses, companions, family members and friends who are attending the event, but not participating in any of the workshop classes. This covers lunch and dinner meals, a workshop t-shirt, participation in evening kanikapilas, selected lecture/demo classes, and a ticket to the The Slack Key Show. There is a beautiful beach steps away from the workshop, a full service restaurant (The Sea House), and, if you have a rental car, shopping a short drive away (Napili Plaza, Kaanapali).
Tuition payments must be made at the time of registration unless prior arrangements are made with George & Nancy.
The Napili Kai Beach Resort is offering a special room rate for workshop students. You can make a reservation at this special rate by completing the form on the Workshop Room Registration Page. A link to this page will be provided on the kahumoku.com web site when workshop registration opens on October 1st, 2024.
Preparation
I play guitar but not slack key guitar. Is that ok?
Yes, that is not a problem. Beginning guitar classes start with how to tune the guitar, the basic chord shapings, right hand picking and alternating bass. The higher your level of standard guitar, the more coordinated you will be, and the faster you will pick up the new tuning/s and techniques.We also send out an email to registered students about two months prior to the workshop, asking whether people are seeking roommates or are willing to share a room. Based on the responses, we provide the appropriate parties with contact information.
Is there any preparation required before I come to the workshop?
The short answer is, no.
On the other hand, the workshop classes are packed with a lot of information, and some preparation can be helpful in being able to better assimilate and retain that information.
For example, for both guitar and ‘ukulele students, having familiarity with the basic chords in one or more keys can be helpful. Also, for beginners, being able to keep a steady strumming rhythm while changing chords should be an important goal.
Beginning slack key students will find it helpful to check out the Open G (Taro Patch) tuning, since most instructors begin with this tuning. (A free downloadable reference to this tuning can be found at www.slackkeytunings.com/TaroPatchSample.pdf.)
Many of the songs taught at the workshop by guitar and ‘ukulele instructors are traditional Hawaiian songs, so listening to and developing a feeling for the typical chord structures, rhythms, and performance styles of this music will be time well spent.
To obtain the workshop discount rate, participants must request reservations by using the Workshop Room Reservation Web Page. A link to this page is provided on the confirmation screen when the online workshop registration process is completed. Please do not call the hotel about workshop reservations; they will advise you to use the online Workshop Room Reservation Page.
What is the minimum skill level required to take ‘ukulele?
It is recommended that you be able to play the basic major and minor chords. If you don’t know them all, have a chord chart handy for reference.
Culture Track: Regular tuition is $1600, with an early bird discount rate available until February. 1, 2022. This track includes Coconut weaving, Lauhala Weaving, Lei Making, Hula, Hawaiian chanting and language, Hawaiian fishing traditions, Hawaiian Plants, and Hawaiian Cooking.
The workshop also offers a “Non-Student – Meals Only” rate of $600 for spouses, companions, family members and friends who are attending the event, but not participating in any of the workshop classes. This covers all meals (breakfast, lunch, and most dinners), a workshop t-shirt, participation in evening kanikapilas, selected lecture/demo classes, and a ticket to the The Slack Key Show. There is a beautiful beach steps away from the workshop, a full service restaurant (The Sea House), and, if you have a rental car, shopping a short drive away (Napili Plaza, Kaanapali, Lahaina).
Tuition payments must be made at the time of registration unless prior arrangements are made with George & Nancy.
The Napili Kai Beach Resort is offering a special room rate as low as $240.00 (plus taxes) per night for workshop students. You can make a reservation at this special rate by completing the form on the Workshop Room Registration Page. A link to this page will be provided on the kahumoku.com web site when workshop registration opens on September 5, 2017.
Transportation
Do I need a car?
Most people rent a car or make arrangements to share rides with others. It is not necessary for the workshop per se to have a car, as all the activities are on-site. Share-rides to and from the airport in Kahului are encouraged.
What forms of transportation are available from the airport in Kahului to the Napili Kai Beach Resort?
There are several options:
There is a shuttle service from the airport (SpeediShuttle) to the Napili Kai; Check their website for current rates.
There are a number of the major-brand car rental firms with rental facilities at or near the airport. One of our favorites is a local company, Aloha Rent a Car, mauicarrentals.net.
Carpooling – In the weeks leading up to the workshop, we’ll be publishing a list of people who have transportation they’re willing to share, to and/or from the airport. Since having a car during the workshop week is not really necessary, this is the most economical option.
Workshop Meals
I have special dietary needs. What accommodations are made for this?
There are vegetarian food options available for all meals (breakfasts, lunches and dinners). For severe food allergies or highly restrictive diets, we recommend getting a room with a full kitchen and bringing your own back-up food items .
Prior to the workshop we send out a food preference survey so that we can learn about and accommodate specific dietary restrictions or preferences of our students.
Is alcohol provided or permitted at the workshop?
Alcoholic beverages are not provided at workshop meals. The workshop maintains a family atmosphere suitable for all ages, so open alcoholic beverage containers are discouraged at meals. Some individual attendees at times bring their own decanted wine to dinner. In general, alcohol does not enhance the focus and learning atmosphere of the workshop, and consumption is considered to be inappropriate during classes or evening kanikapila.
What breakfast options are available?
In 2025, a basic continental breakfast will be offered each morning in the Aloha Pavilion.
Workshop Registration/Tuition
What is the cancellation policy?
A cancellation service charge of 4% of total registration fees is applied to refunds made up to 60 days before the workshop start date. After 60 days before the workshop, the cancellation service charge is 8% of the total registration fees. Exceptions to this policy are made in cases of medical emergency or pandemic-related travel restrictions.
What is the workshop tuition?
The Music Track is the full workshop program that entitles the participant to attend all music and cultural track classes. Tuition is $2500. Music Track tuition includes all instruction (group and private lessons) in all subjects (guitar, ukulele, vocal, culture), workshop t-shirt, one ticket to the Slack Key Show at the Napili Kai Beach Resort on Wednesday evening, all meals (breakfast, lunch, and most dinners), the Workshop Songbook and Dis ‘n Dat theory/chord book.
The Culture Track tuition is $2000. This track includes Coconut weaving, Lauhala Weaving, Lei Making, Hula, Hawaiian chanting and language, Hawaiian fishing traditions, Hawaiian Plants, and Hawaiian Cooking.
The workshop also offers a “Non-Student – Campanion” rate of $700 for spouses, companions, family members and friends who are attending the event, but not participating in any of the workshop classes. This covers complimentary meals (breakfast, lunch, and most dinners), a workshop t-shirt, participation in evening kanikapilas, selected lecture/demo classes, and a ticket to the The Slack Key Show. There is a beautiful beach steps away from the workshop, a full service restaurant (The Sea House), and, if you have a rental car, shopping a short drive away (Napili Plaza, Kaanapali).
Tuition payments must be made at the time of registration unless prior arrangements are made with George & Nancy.
A $100 early bird discount is available for Music and Culture Track registrations before Feb. 1, 2025.
Workshop Schedule
When does the class/teacher schedule come out?
The Workshop Schedule is published one to two weeks before the workshop. Also, starting about two months prior to the workshop, a series of newsletters is emailed to all registered participants. These newsletters provide information about the workshop, classes, and instructors to aid in planning your class schedule and getting the most from the workshop experience. As part of the workshop registration process, we include a food preference survey so that we can learn about and accommodate specific dietary restrictions or preferences of our students.