“I just love what I can get out of the guitar, the lilting sound and full-body richness of the tone,” says acclaimed Hawaiian steel guitarist Alan Akaka. “It conjures up Hawaii.” This esteemed ...

In 1904, Joseph Kekuku, inventor of the Hawaiian steel guitar, left Hawaii to perform on the American West Coast. Newspaper critics called him the “world’s greatest guitar soloist.” Redpath Chautauqua ...

The Hawaiian steel guitar became a cultural force in America at the turn of the century, popularized by troupes of traveling musicians from Hawaii. It evolved beyond its association with a tropical ...

Grammy-nominated Hawaiian slack key guitarist Stephen Inglis and acclaimed pedal steel guitarist Barry Sless will return to ...

Steel guitar music started on the island of Oahu — and teachers there are working with the next generation of students to continue the tradition. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times) Quincy Cortez ...

From the lilting music of Hawaii to the wail of country and western, from the tropical islands to Kalamazoo, the Hawaiian steel guitar made its mark during the 20th century. But the history of the ...

KAILUA, Hawaii – Quincy Cortez plucks at a slim black box laid across his legs, his fingers flashing silver. Steel strings twang with each pull from the metal rings – wearable guitar picks – adorning ...