Saturday Briefing

By Kathy Hansberry  — Ledward Kaapana’s first concert performance at Waikiki Beach Walk® was so electrifying, it deserved a “Hana Hou.” This four-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner and two-time Grammy Award nominee, Slack Key Master returns to Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk’S® stage as April’s featured artist for the Outrigger Enterprises Groups’ Na Mele No Na Pua free concert series. Kaapana will take the stage at the Grand Lanai on Sunday, April 26, 2009, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Ledward Kaapana, whose musical career spans almost 40 years, is well known in the Hawaiian musicindustry, not only for his mastery of stringed instruments, particularly slack key guitar, but also for his extraordinary baritone and falsetto voice. Kaapana grew up in the tiny black sand bay town of Kalapana, and like many Hawaiian musicians, he was inspired by a musical family and credits his success to his early exposure to music.

Ledward Kaapana

Kaapana’s music has reached both national and international audiences through his performances across the U.S., as well as in Belgium, Germany, Canada, Japan, and Tahiti. He has worked with many local and nationally- acclaimed artists, including Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, Allison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Aunty Genoa Keawe, Melveen Leed, the Pahinui Brothers, and Amy Hanaiali‘i Gilliom, just to name a few.

Invite your family and friends and head down to Waikiki Beach Walk®. Outrigger’s Na Mele No Na Pua concerts are free and open to the public, while seating allows. Elevator access to the Grand Lanai is located on Lewers Street ground level. Valet parking is $6 for up to four hours at the Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk® (201 Beachwalk) and the Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk (227 Lewers Street) with any same-day purchase at the concert or from any Waikiki Beach Walk® merchant.