About the Artist
E Komo Mai (Welcome) to our slack key ohana (family). Mahalo (thank you) for your support of the rare and beautiful Hawaiian tradition of slack key guitar. When you are visiting Kauai, come share a sunset or enjoy one of our concerts. When you are away from Kauai, you can always stay in touch through our website and free email newsletters. This nahenahe (soft and sweet) music will help you stay connected to the peace and tranquility of old Hawaii. Simple beginnings are at the root of many traditions. The sunset serenade by Doug & Sandy McMaster by Hanalei Bay tradition began by just watching the sun set and playing slack key guitar. First they were joined by Betty, the dog from next door. Betty loved to go to the beach. Then Betty introduced Doug & Sandy to Edith, another neighbor, and Edith began joining them. After they made their way to the park, Edith would sit on the bench, swinging her legs with her arm wrapped snuggly around Betty as Doug & Sandy serenaded the sun to bed. The magic of community kept them coming back night after night and simple joys became celebration ritual. Visitors and locals began to discover their little sunset ohana and the community expanded reaching hearts and souls from all walks of life and all corners of the world. The magic of these experiences are documented in many a guest book. Many have tried to put it into words. One man said, "This is as close to heaven as you can get and still be alive." Its true, the vista is always magnificent and sometimes indescribably beautiful. Soft, magical, and sweet, ki hoalu (slack key) guitar, was created by the people of Hawaii in the early 1800s. In ki hoalu music, the hands enter into a beautiful and intricate dance through which the essences of the mystical islands of Hawaii are expressed. Slack key music is filled with mana ("spiritual force") and aloha ("divine breath, presence"). It expresses innermost feelings and honors the aina (land), creatures, events, and ancestors. As you listen, you can feel it touch you and open your heart to help you feel the essence of Hawaii. Doug McMaster has been playing slack key since a young child. Given this gift, he has the kuleana (responsibility) to hoomau (continue the tradition) through sharing the music and stories, creating new songs in the old style, and recording. Sandy McMaster is a musician, writer, artist, and computer expert. She fell in love with the man and his music over twenty years ago. Together they are dedicated to sharing the beauty of ki hoalu and the islands creating Aloha Plenty experiences for all. They have released 4 instrumental slack key CDs (Hanalei Sunset, Kauai Homecoming, In A Land Called Hanalei, and Island of Peace), an audio music documentary (Slack Key Story), and a Hanalei Sunsets Screensaver. By touching the hearts of visitors to the islands, they help spread the aloha spirit throughout the world.