Maui Slack Key Guitar & Ukulele Workshop
June 3, 2026
Join us at the 28th Annual Workshop - June 3 - 10, 2026
Come experience the best slack key guitar and 'ukulele instruction anywhere, with Hawaii's top musicians teaching both group classes and one-on-one private instruction.
You'll spend a week in classes that cover playing techniques, song repertoire, jamming, composition, and a variety of other topics, all designed to take your playing to the next level. In addition to musical instruction, students can also take classes in Hawaiian history, culture, hula, and traditional crafts
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The beautiful Napili Kai Beach Resort will once again be our Workshop headquarters, with discounted room rates available to workshop attendees. Registration for the 2026 Workshop will open October 1st, 2025.
2026 Workshop Newsletters will begin mailing beginning April 1, 2026
2026 Workshop Music Instructor Staff (tentative)
Ledward Kaapana - guitar, 'ukulele George Kahumoku Jr. - guitar, 'ukulele Kevin Brown - guitar Jeff Peterson - guitar & 'ukulele Sonny Lim - guitar, lap steel Stephen Inglis - guitar | Herb Ohta jr. - 'ukulele Bryan Tolentino - 'ukulele Jason Jerome - 'ukulele Brad Bordessa - 'ukulele Shem Kahawaii - guitar |
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Cultural/Crafts Instructors
Wainani Kealoha - Wahine Hula George Kahumoku Jr. - Hawaiian Cooking, Hawaiian drawing Vania Jerome - Voice Max Angel - Hawaiian Language ('Olelo) | U’i Kahue - Coconut Leaf Weaving Fifi Malafu - Lauhala weaving Jason Jerome - 'Ukulele Introduction Kalei Jaramillo - Kane Hula Wainani Kealoha - Wahine Hula, Lahaina History |
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Workshop Tracks
Slack Key Guitar
- Intermediate Slack Key
- Advanced Slack Key
- Alternate Tunings
- Intros, Vamps, & Endings
- Improvising
- Jamming With Others
- Songs & Singing
- Taro Patch F
- C Tunings
- Music Theory
- Songwriting
- Modulation & Chord Repertoire
‘Ukulele
- Beginning 'Ukulele
- Intermediate 'Ukulele
- Advanced 'Ukulele
- C Slack 'Ukulele
- Intros, Vamps, & Endings
- Improvising
- Jamming With Others
- Jazz, Blues 'Ukulele
- Rhythms & Strumming Styles
- Fingerpicking Styles
- Music Theory
- Chord Repertoire
- Turnarounds & Endings
Culture/Crafts
- Hula Performance
- Hula Skills Development
- Lauhala Weaving
- Lei Making
- Coconut Weaving
- Hawaiian Chants & Language
- Hawaiian Cooking
- Introduction to 'Ukulele
- Bamboo Pointing
Workshop Tuition
| Music + Culture (All Access) | Culture/Crafts Program | |
|---|---|---|
| $2650* | $2150* | |
| A special "Companion" plan that includes complimentary meals and tickets to the Masters of Slack Key Show, at $700 is available for spouse/companions not participating in workshop programs. See the registration page for details. Music and Culture Track registrations received before Jan. 1, 2026 receive a $100 early bird discount. | ||
Outline Schedule
(All workshop sessions are held at the Napili Kai Beach Resort unless otherwise specified)
Wednesday
- 1:00 – 4:00 pm check-in at the Napili Kai
- 4:00 - 5:00 pm Orientation for new students
- 5:00 - Welcome Dinner in the Plumeria Garden
- 6:30 Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Show
Thursday
- 8:15 am - Late check-in and morning group meeting
- 9:15 am - Morning classes begin
- 12:15 pm - Lunch
- 1:15 pm - Afternoon classes begin
- 6:00 pm - Dinner
- 7:30 pm - Kanikapila at the Aloha Pavilion
Friday
- 9:15 am - Morning classes begin
- 12:15 pm - Lunch
- 1:15 pm - Afternoon classes begin
- 6:00 pm - Dinner
- 7:30 pm - Kanikapila at the Aloha Pavilion
Saturday
- Same as Friday
Sunday
- Same as Friday
Monday
- Same as Thursday
- 7:30 - Open Mic
Tuesday
- Same morning schedule
- 6:00 pm - Dinner
Wednesday
- 8:00 am - Class photo shoot (wearing workshop T-shirt) at Napili Kai, followed by dress rehearsal for show performance
- Lunch Afternoon is free time with students' dinner on your own
- 6:30 pm - Kahumoku Workshop performance night at the Aloha Pavilion
Thursday
- 8:30 am - Optional staff and student debriefing, discussion, and suggestions for next year. All welcome, but feedback also invited on written forms. Location to be announced.
Workshop Class of 2019