Product Details

• Actors: Susan Friedman
• Directors: Susan Friedman
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: Vestapol
• DVD Release Date: January 17, 2006
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000CCBCMQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,814 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Featuring: Raymond Kane, Sonny Chillingworth, Ledward Kaapana, Leonard Kwan, Haunani Apoliona, Diana Aki and George Kahamoku Jr. This compelling look at Hawaiian Slack Key guitar unveils a cultural richness that is uniquely Hawaiian.The story is told not by a narrator, but by each artist telling their story in their own words, and the spirit and feeling that is within the culture of the Hawaiian people emerges. The development of slack key corresponds to Hawaiian history, and tells of the changes within Hawaiian culture while preserving its tradition in form and verse. Slack Key guitar is a traditional solo fingerpicking style unique to Hawaii. Hawaiians have been playing slack key since the early 1800s when traditional guitars were brought to the islands by the Spanish cowboys. The Hawaiians tuned or "slacked" the strings to suit their own music. The tradition extends beyond the islands to influence many musicians including Ry Cooder and Chet Atkins. This film tells the story of slack key guitar through an intimate portrait of Raymond Kane, a man who holds a special place in the domain of traditional Hawaiian music. The style of the films reflects the "down home" feeling of the slack key guitar, and of Raymond Kane himself. "It's sweet, it's good for the soul" Raymond says. Over four years in the making, this film, with its infectious musical aspects that are specifically Hawaiian, its fascinating main character and its rich visual material and verité sequences, will be an important document of Hawaiian culture to share with contemporary audiences.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hawaiian slack key guitar, March 29, 2006

By 

S. Diaz (San Diego, CA. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ki Ho'alu: That's Slack Key Guitar A Documentary Film (DVD)

Good introduction into Hawaii's unique style of tuning and playing the guitar. Passed down from father to son since the 1800's, slack key guitar is now known worldwide. Played in their homes and on the beaches of Hawaii this DVD will make you want to catch the next plane to Hawaii.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect introduction to slack key guitar!, February 10, 2003

By 

JavaBarista (Encinitas, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ki Ho'Alu: That's Slack Key Guitar [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I hope this video becomes available again, because it is far and away the best introduction to slack key guitar I've seen. While it focuses on Raymond Kane ("Kah-nay") it also includes other great artists such as Sonny Chillingworth, Leonard Kwan, Ledward Ka`apana, and more. Even if you've never heard of slack key, grab a copy of this video and open your ears (and heart) to some of the most beautiful and relaxing guitar music in the world.

4.0 out of 5 stars The late, great Ray Kane - slack key ambassador to the world, August 30, 2011

By 

Michael Benner (Kula, Hawaii, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ki Ho'alu: That's Slack Key Guitar A Documentary Film (DVD)

Of the half dozen or more great slack key guitar (kiho'alu) players who "talk story" in this documentary, the late Ray Kane is featured. This is not an instructive, how-to-play slack key video. Rather, it tells the story of the role slack key guitar has played in resurrecting the Hawaiian culture and its many beautiful songs (meles) and hula dances. As you listen to the nahe nahe (sweet & easy) sounds, the Aloha will well-up inside you, revealing more about Hawaii than you'll ever discover during a week in a resort hotel. Mahalo, Susan Friedman for putting this together. Aloha.