Four Strings Concert Series

Alan Akaka is a world-renowned Hawaiian steel guitarist and educator who has dedicated his career to the preservation and promotion of traditional Hawaiian music. Born into a deeply musical family, he is the son of the late U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka, a former director of the Kawaiahaʻo Church Choir who encouraged Alan’s early development. Alan's unique playing style is a fusion of techniques learned from legendary masters such as Jerry Byrd, David Rogers, and Benny Rogers. Over a professional career spanning more than 40 years, he has led the group "The Islanders" and performed at iconic venues like the Halekulani's House Without A Key and the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort. In 2012, his contributions to the genre were formally recognized with his induction into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.

In September 2009, Akaka founded Ke Kula Mele Hawaiʻi (School of Hawaiian Music) to ensure the survival of the "lilting sound" of the Hawaiian steel guitar for future generations. Located in Keolu Hills, Kailua, the school is the only institution in Hawaiʻi offering specialty training in the Hawaiian lap steel guitar, alongside instruction for the ukulele, guitar, and Hawaiian-style upright bass. Akaka’s teaching philosophy is rooted in traditional values such as Hoʻihi (Respect) and Kuleana (Responsibility), and he utilizes modern technology like Skype to reach students globally, from Japan to Russia. Through the school and his nonprofit organization, HIMELE (Hawaiʻi Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences), Akaka continues to mentor musicians of all ages, from keiki to seniors, fostering a new era of Hawaiian music masters.