Current & Recent News

PBS Hawaiʻi Neighbor Challenge

Aloha friends and slack key ‘ohana. Recently PBS Hawai’i contacted several Hawai’i based artists regarding the concept for a “PBS Hawai’i Neighbor Challenge”. We were given the rights to use the song from the PBS show “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood” and then asked to make a video in our individual neighborhoods using the Mr. Rogers song. This would be a way to support our own excellent PBS Hawai’i station. Here is what I came up with at Honokahua Beach on Maui.

‘Ohana Beamer (my family) and I hope you might consider making a donation to PBS Hawai’i at this critical time.

me ke aloha,
Keola Beamer

P.S. Mahalo nui – Murphy Kapua’ala (Hawaii Canines For Independence, Class of 2011) and my friend, Tom Vendetti.

Livestream August 17, 2020

Legendary Artists Keola Beamer and Jigme Drukpa Spread Aloha from the Himalayas to Hawai`i in a Free Online Concert and Q&A

Washington, DC, April 8, 2020: On Friday, April 17, enter the worlds of award-winning artists Keola Beamer and Jigme Drukpa as they bring together the sounds of the Himalayas and Hawai`i in a free livestream concert and interactive Q&A session.

The show will take the audience across the world from the islands of Hawai`i with legendary artist Keola Beamer, a slack key guitarist and performer whose work was featured on the Grammy-nominated soundtrack for the film The Descendants, who will feature stories and songs on the guitar. Keola’s work is far-reaching and has been seen on programs such as Sesame Street and NBC’s Today Show.

From there, the audience will be transported to Bhutan in the Himalayas with Jigme Drukpa, a renowned folk performer and ethnomusicologist from Eastern Bhutan. He’ll perform traditional chants and pieces—some of which were featured in films and documentaries such as Travelers and Magicians and the award-winning Yak in the Classroom.

After the performances, both artists will come together to conduct a joint Q&A with the audience. Join us on April 17, at 8 PM EST to hear great music and get the chance to ask your questions live with Keola Beamer and Jigme Drukpa.

This free concert is organized by the Bhutan Foundation to bring together with the power of music communities and cultures across the world being affected by COVID-19.

The Bhutan Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC and Thimphu, Bhutan, which works to serve the people of Bhutan in living and sharing the principle of Gross National Happiness. You can learn more about the Foundation at our website: www.bhutanfound.org.

Aloha Music Camp March 2020

We had a lot of fun at Aloha Music Camp… and some special guests!

What a wonderful Aloha Music Camp on Kaua’i. We were surrounded by excellent Kumu.

My friend Paul Simon came by and did an awesome workshop relating contemporary acoustic guitar to Hawaiian Slack key and sharing his special song writing tips.

Paul Simon with Keola, Jeff Peterson and Claudia Goddard

Actor Beau Bridges came by to share Aloha and support our Aloha Kuamo’o Aina Project.

A Wonderful Night and On to Aloha Music Camp!

We really enjoyed working with the Maui Pops Orchestra. The musicians were terrific and under the the able baton of conductor – Jim Durham, it was an awesome night! Now we look forward to Aloha Music Camp as we ready to leave for the Island Of Kaua’i.

The Maui Pops Winter Series 2020

On Sunday February 23, I played with the 50 plus members of The Maui Pops Orchestra for their “Winter Pops” series conducted by James Durham. The Maui Pops Orchestra is terrific! It was a matinee performance at The Maui Arts and Cultural Center – Castle Theater, one of my most favorite venues in the world, right here on the island of Maui. Because it was a matinee show, I didn’t have to stay up too late and …Yay! I actually get to sleep in my own bed! Wow! I am a lucky man and life is good!

Also, please see below for our fund raiser for the Mokihana Club on Kaua’i.

With Moanalani Beamer – Sun, Feb 23, 2020, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Kahului HI Guest Artist with Maui Pops Orchestra. 3:00 PM
With Jeff Peterson, Uluwehi Guerrero & Moanalani Beamer – Sat, August 22, 2020, Kauai Beach Resort, Lihue, HI. A benefit fundraiser for the Mokihana Club. 7:00 PM

Winter Tour 2020 With Henry Kapono

keola beamer and henry kapono promo picture

Keola, Jeff Peterson, and Moanalani went on tour from Jan 12 to 16th in California and Washngton, followed by Keola, Henry Kapono, and Moanalani from Jan 23 to Feb 2 in California, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada. Find out the venue details here.

Jeff, Keola, and Moana heading image — Jeff Petersen, Keola Beamer, and Moanalani Beamer together

Oregon & Washington Late Oct 2019

Keola & Moanalani Beamer Kihei, Maui, Hawaii 2019

I’m really looking forward to playing a couple of concerts in Portland, Oregon and Kirkand, Washington. These will be with my hanai son, Jeff Peterson and my sweet wife, Moanalani.

If you have a chance, come by and say ALOHA!

Keola Beamer & Jeff Peterson with Moanalani Beamer
Mon, Oct 14, 2019, Alberta Rose Theatre, Portland OR
7:30 PM

Thurs, Oct 17, 2019, Kirkland Performing Arts Center, Kirkland WA
7:00 PM

For Paul Simon in August 2019

On August 13 & 14, I played for the sold out Paul Simon shows at the Maui Arts And Cultural Center. Paul was so gracious, welcoming and kind. It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget. Towards the end of the night, Michael McDonald and I stood quietly backstage in total admiration of Pauls’ great work and amazing, multi-talented band.

News August 5, 2019

Paul Simon is doing shows here on Maui at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, August 13 & 14. He’s asked me to play a song or two. What a wonderful honor to be on the same stage with such a great songwriter. Both his shows at the MACC sold out in the first six hours, so unfortunately there are no tickets left.

Paul Simon has requested that net proceeds from both shows be donated to the Auwahi Forest Restoration Project and Kua‘āina Ulu ‘Auamo (KUA). These are two excellent non-profits.

News June 24, 2019

Aloha Music Camp is presented every year by myself and The Mohala Hou Foundation. Registration for Aloha Music Camp 2020 on Kaua’i will open tomorrow June 25th, 2019. (12:00pm HST, 3:00pm Pacific, 6:00pm Eastern, or 11:00pm GMT) Space is limited so these registrations sell out quickly. I encourage my Haumana (Students) to please register early by clicking here.

Paul Simon Visits June 2019

Paul Simon & Keola Beamer, Maui, Hawaii 2019

Paul Simon came over to my house for dinner. It was a beautiful Maui evening with some nice wines, lots of talk story and aloha shared. Paul wrote “The Sound of Silence”, when he was 19 years old. Amazing! I am so grateful for his incredible body of work and the warmth of his friendship.

Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame May 2019

Inducted into The Hawaiian Music Hall Of Fame

Last Saturday night I received the great honor of being inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall Of Fame, along with my mother – Nona Beamer (deceased) and my brother Kapono. It was a special evening filled with Aloha supported by family and friends and attended by many incredible artists and mentors of Hawai’i.

To celebrate this achievement my brother Kaliko uploaded my arrangement of Sweet Lei Mamo to our advanced realm. This is a sweetly melodic Charles Hopkins song written at the end of the 19th Century. I learned this from my dear mom.

Mamo is the safflower or false saffron from Asia. The yellow feather-like flowers were highly prized and loved by Hawaii’s people. This is in triple meter with its distinctive waltz feel and contains a modulation (change of key) element within the form

Triple meter is rare in Hawaiian Music, so if you are looking for a refreshing rhythmical change of pace (plus a modulation!) check out ADV-21: Sweet Lei Mamo.

With Nawang Khechog April 2019

Nawang Khechog, Keola Beamer, His Holness – The Dalai Lama

It was a great honor to perform last night on Maui with Nawang Khechog, the master flute player from Tibet. This was truly an evening to remember with Nawang at the height of his craft as he exhibited a beautiful and masterful performance. In a piece we did together, the aloha and spirituality of both of our cultures felt like it was shimmering with light. It was a superlative evening of ethereal music on the most beautiful Island on the planet.

Aloha Music Camp March 2019

2019 Aloha Music Camp ‘Ilio Nui (Big Dogs)

We had such a fabulous time at Aloha Music Camp! Our programs worked exceptionally well. I had an awesome Advanced Slack Key Guitar Class with so many great players, all of them playing with both sensitivity and aloha. Together, we learned a lot and had a great deal of fun. The week absolutely flew by. I’m going to miss these Haumana.

Thoughts of Camp February 2019

I am so looking forward to our upcoming Aloha Music Camp – March 3 – 9 on the beautiful Island of Kaua’i at the Mariott Coconut Beach Resort. This is our 18th year of operation. (I’ve lost track of how many camps we’ve actually conducted over that period of time!) Recently I’ve been designing lesson plans and speaking with our Kumu. It’s fun checking in with ‘Ohana and getting up to speed with our operations. I am so grateful for the efforts of our Staff and Board Of Directors who somehow excel in their duties year after year. It just keeps getting better!

Me Ke Aloha, Keola Beamer