Here's one sure-fire way to get rid of those Bay Area winter blues: soak up some aloha spirit from these three masters of Hawaiian slack key (ki ho'alu) guitar, in which the strings (keys) are lowered (slacked) to nonstandard tunings, producing a beautiful, lingering resonance warm enough to dispell rain, fog, or February chill!

One of Hawai'i's greatest and most prolific songwriters, Honolulu-born DENNIS KAMAKAHI is also a much-awarded vocalist and a terrific traditional-style slack key guitarist. A long-time member of the legendary music group, the Sons of Hawai'i, Dennis has seen many of his vivid, romantic compositions, like "Pua Hone" and "Wahine 'Ilikea," become Hawaiian classics. Like most Hawaiian musicians, Dennis started playing early: he was taught ukelele at the age of three and was initiated into the art of slack key guitar at the age of 10 by his grandfather, David Naoo Kamakahi.

CYRIL PAHINUI combines his deep roots in Hawaiian music with a unique, jazz-influenced rhythmic approach. His musical intelligence, great ear, and killer chops have made him one of Hawai'i's most respected and beloved performers and won him three Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (Hawai'ian Grammies). Growing up on O'ahu's windward coast, at age 12 Cyril began to play with the band of his legendary father, Gabby Pahinui, who was Hawai'i's leading slack key player. Later, Cyril continued on his own with the groundbreaking Sandwich Isle Band and with his brothers, Bla and Martin.

Kaua'i resident CINDY COMBS, now entering her fourth decade of playing (ki ho'alu), is considered by many to be among Hawai'i's finest players. She began as a student of slack key master Keola Beamer, but her own style soon emerged as an innovative blend of a traditional approach in concert with contemporary jazz influences.