Describing his musical style as “Hawaiian with attitude,” Mike Kaawa has created a distinctive, robust sound and vocal expression that comes straight from the heart. 

LAHAINA – Renowned master slack key guitarist Mike Kaawa will perform at Lahaina Restoration Foundation’s free monthly Hawaiian Music Series concert on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. outdoors at the Baldwin Home Museum on the corner of Dickenson and Front streets in Lahaina.

A Hawaiian master 12-string guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, Kaawa is one of Hawaii’s most highly regarded musicians.

He started performing at a young age and briefly flirted with rock-and-roll before committing himself to Hawaiian music and becoming known as “The Hawaiian Boy” in the 1970s.

He’s a regular performer at Hawaiian slack key guitar festivals and popular venues around Hawaii.

He often teams up with master slack key guitarist Led Kaapana. The duo released “Force of Nature” in 2008, which garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hawaiian Music Album.

He has also performed with Kaapana, Dennis Kamakahi and Nathan Aweau as The Hawaiian Legends.

Kaawa released four solo albums in his career, including “Kuapaka’a” (2012), two albums with the band Na ‘Oiwi (featuring Dennis Kamakahi) as well as his record with Kaapana. He has also been featured on three Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar compilation albums.

Limited seating is provided on the lawn; blankets, mats and low beach chairs are welcome.

This ongoing Hawaiian Music Series program is sponsored by Hawaii Tourism Authority, the County of Maui Office of Economic Development and Outlets of Maui with support from KPOA 93.5FM.

For more information, call the Lahaina Restoration Foundation office at (808) 661-3262 or see Lahaina Restoration.org/events.

For updates, visit Facebook @LahainaRestoration, Twitter @LahainaRestFnd or Instagram @LahainaRestoration.