Joseph Kekuku and the Voice of the Steel Guitar

By Moses Goods and Noa Gardner, in collaboration with Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings

In 1889 a student at Kamehameha Schools fabricated a steel bar in the school’s

machine shop, slid it across the strings of his guitar and changed the sound and

shape of the instrument forever. The grandson of a royal chanter, Joseph Kekuku

played his steel guitar for royalty in Hawai‘i and across Europe, inspiring musicians

around the world with the new “Hawaiian Sound”.

Ages 8+

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE DATES

• May 11 @ 2:00pm

• May 18 @ 2:00pm

• May 25 @ 2:00pm

Host or Publisher Honolulu Theatre for Youth