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About Alan Akaka
Master of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar

Alan L. Akaka is one of the world's top steel guitar players and the former president of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association. He is also the former director of the Kamehameha Schools Marching Band and the founder and former director of the Kamehameha Schools Na Opio Singers and Ensemble. His father, United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka, was the former director of the famous Kawaiahao Church Choir and he played an important role in Alan’s early music development.

Alan Akaka Alan Akaka Alan Akaka
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Official Web sites of Alan Akaka
Alan Akaka School of Hawaiian Music
Alan Akaka and the Islanders


Early Life and Education of Alan Akaka
  • Full Name: Alan L. Akaka
  • Born: June 13, 1956
  • Father: United States Senator Alan L. Akaka
  • Mother: Mary Mildred Chong Akaka
  • Siblings: 3 brothers and 1 sister
  • Graduated from Kamehameha High School in 1974
  • Received Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education Administration degrees from the University of Hawaii.

    Performance Career of Alan Akaka
  • Alan Akaka and the Islanders began performing at the Halekulani Hotel's House Without a Key in 1983 and they continued to perform there for many years.
  • Alan and his company AIS Entertainment began producing an annual steel guitar concert in 1991. The 1991 and 1992 concerts were held in the clubhouse of the Ala Wai Golf Course and the 1993 concert was held in Princess Keelikolani Auditorium of the Kamehameha Schools.
  • He performed for many years with the legendary Genoa Keawe at the Hawaiian Regent Hotel (now a Marriott). After Genoa Keawe passed away in February of 2008, Alan Akaka continued to perform with members of her family. Today Alan Akaka can be seen performing almost every Thursday evening, with the Genoa Keawe Ohana, at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa at 2552 Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki, Honolulu.

    More About Alan Akaka's Career
  • Former president of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association,
  • Former Director of the Kamehameha High School Marching Band,
  • Established and directed the Na Opio Singers and Ensemble at the Kamehameha Schools
  • He taught Hawaiian music, languages, and appreciation classes at the Kamehameha Schools and directed the Kamehameha Performing Arts Academy.
  • He emceed and performed at the Hawaii State Society's 2009 Presidential Inauguration Ball in Washington, DC
  • Today Alan Akaka is the director of Ke Kula Mele Hawaii o Akaka the "Alan Akaka School of Hawaiian Music" in Kailua, Oahu.

    Recordings of Alan Akaka
    Alan Akaka has been producing records with the Islanders since 1988 and over the years he has played steel on the albums of some of Hawaii's most legendary singers and musicians including Benny Kalama, Sonny Kamahele, Genoa Keawe, Nina Kealiiwahamana, Darlene Ahuna, Owana, Gary Aiko, Ed Kenney, George Paoa, and many others.
  • Legends of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar: Past, Present, and Future
  • Hawaiian Steel, Volume 3 (2004)

    Photos of Alan Akaka
  • Picture of Alan Akaka With Senator Daniel Akaka
  • Sounds of Hawaii Will Serenade Washington DC (2009)
  • Alan Akaka at Amy Hanaialii's CD Release Party (2008)
  • Alan Akaka to Kick off 2004 Steel Guitar Festival (2004)

    See also:
  • Photos of the Genoa Keawe Ohana
  • Other Hawaiian Steel Guitar Musicians
  • Hawaiian Music Artists A to Z



  • Related Links
    Hawaiian Music Artists - Main Menu
    About Hawaiian Music
    Hawaii for Visitors

    Elsewhere on the WEb
    MySpace Alan Akaka Page

    If you have corrections or updates to the any of the information on this page or if you have information or pictures to share about your favorite Hawaii singer or musician please send them to one of the addresses on our contacts page. Note that we can only publish official press photos or other photos for which we have received permission from the photographer. We respect the copyrights of photographers, performers, and writers.





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