Masters of Hawaiian Music: George Kahumoku Jr + Sonny Lim + Herb Ohta Jr

CapCity Presents: Masters of Hawaiian Music: George Kahumoku Jr, Sonny Lim & Herb Ohta Jr Wild Child March 8th, 2026 7:00 PM Doors 7:30 PM Show $25 advance ($27.89 after fees) or $30 day of show All Ages Welcome

Masters of Hawaiian Music

Three Masters, featured regularly at Maui’s renowned “Slack Key Show®” share the uniquely Hawaiian styles of slack key guitar, ‘ukulele, and lap steel, with origins in the early 19th century when the ‘ukulele and the guitar were introduced to Hawai‘i by Portuguese immigrants and Mexican vaqueros, respectively, and Hawaiians invented the lap steel guitar. Four-time Grammy-winner, master slack key guitarist GEORGE KAHUMOKU JR., known as “Hawai‘i’s Renaissance Man”, is a multiple Na Hōkū Hanohano (Hawaiian Grammy) Award winner, a vocalist, storyteller, songwriter & author, teacher, sculptor, farmer, and chef, and honored with a Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award and named to the Maui Nui Hall of Fame in 2024. “Herb Ohta Jr. is the undisputed master ‘ukulele instrumentalist of his generation.” “There’s something quite magical…about the evocative tones of a trusty ‘ukulele”.—Honolulu Star-Advertiser Slack Key Guitarist, Hawaiian Steel Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer, SONNY LIM developed his guitar & vocal styles performing with his famous Lim Family of the Big Island. He was also one of the early members of the renowned Makaha Sons of Ni‘ihau for whom he played lap steel guitar beginning at age 15. He performed on the first Grammy-winning CD in Hawaiian music, and has won multiple Na Hoku Awards on his solo CDs ‘Ukulele virtuoso HERB OHTA JR’S natural talent, knowledge, technique, and sprightliness are unsurpassed. Herb’s versatility, sensitivity, and verve captivates and transports, leaving audiences feeling both joyful and serene.

George Kahumoku Jr

GEORGE KAHUMOKU JR., called Hawai’I’s Renaissance Man, is a master slack key guitarist, songwriter, artist and sculptor, storyteller, and farmer. With over 25 solo, collaboration, and compilation CDs to his name, George celebrates over 20 years of his famed weekly Slack Key Show on Maui, which produced 4 Grammy-winning CDs. In 2022, he was honored with a Nā Hōkū Lifetime Achievement Award, the “Aloha Is…” Award, and in 2024, was recognized in the inaugural class of the Maui Nui Hall of Fame. He founded the Hawaiian Music Institute at University of Hawai‘i-Maui College to preserve the legacy of Hawaiian music and to prepare the next generation for careers in music. A renowned storyteller, George collaborated on the books A Hawaiian Life (Vols. 1 & 2) with long-time friend Paul Konwiser to capture his hilarious, entertaining on-stage stories. This project led to his film biography Seeds of Aloha. For over 20 years, George Kahumoku Jr.’s Annual Maui Slack Key Guitar and ‘Ukulele Workshop has led one of the great musical learning experiences in the Islands today, and embodies George’s belief in sharing, celebrating, and perpetuating the unique music and culture that is Hawai‘i.

Sonny Lim

SONNY LIM Slack Key Guitarist, Lap Steel Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer. A member of Hawaii’s musical Lim Family, esteemed Hawaiian cultural practitioners and descendants of Hawai‘i Island royalty, Sonny was born and raised in the heart of paniolo (cowboy) country on Hawai‘i Island. He was originally inspired to play Slack Key by the legendary Gabby Pahinui. At age 12 his Uncle Fred Punahoa, also teacher to renowned Led Kaapana, recognized Sonny’s talent and began instructing him. His professional career was launched as steel guitarist for the renowned Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau with the famous Iz as a leading member. Sonny has since become a respected solo artist, studio musician, and collaborator with leading Hawaiian performers. A multiple Nā Hōkū Award winner, he performed on several Grammy Award winning Hawaiian CDs including Slack Key Guitar Vol. 2 (Palm Records) – he was the first person to deliver a Grammy acceptance speech in his Native Hawaiian language — and Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Vol 2 (DHC).

Herb Ohta Jr

HERB OHTA JR. Praised by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for “his own instrumental style and an impressive resume as a musician, songwriter, recording artist, and record producer”, master ‘ukulele performer Herb Ohta Jr. has established himself in the company of leading musicians who promote Hawaiian ‘ukulele in the international music landscape today. It is Herb’s goal to share the beauty of Hawai’i’s music, its culture, and the ‘ukulele to people all over the world. Son of legendary ‘ukulele artist Ohta-san, his first formal teacher, Herb learned his first ‘ukulele song at age three from his grandmother, who recognized his natural talent. Now a multiple award-winner, with 7 Nā Hōkū Awards (including Best ‘Ukulele) and 4 Hawai‘i Music Awards, he creates original compositions and unique arrangements of familiar tunes and makes each song breathtakingly fresh and distinctively his own. Herb’s favorite songs are ballads and all types of Hawaiian melodies that enhance the natural sound of the instrument. Herb’s style stands out for his “delicate yet precise musicianship” (Honolulu Star Advertiser) and his graceful “nahenahe” quality (gentle, melodious, emotionally serene), reflecting the inspirations of ‘ukulele greats who came before him.