A Christmas song. Simple guitar, vocal, ukulele.

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Something that has become even more important these days.

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For Hope.

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Dennis Kamakahi was an inspiration to many as well as myself. I had opportunities to sit and "talk story” with him several times. We talked about life, grandchildren, music and we shared some wine. 
After his passing I had a dream that we crossed paths in an airport - we exchanged a few words, shook hands and he said “I talk to you again.” Thereby giving me the inspiration for this song.
Mahalo Dennis.

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Moloka’i Morning - written by Jean Smith from Seattle whom I met at Keola Beamer's music camp. I rearranged it and tried to give it more of an island feel.

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John and Sonny both grew up in North Kohala and both have distinct guitar styles. In this tribute to all the great slack key players, they also dwell on the memories of their own fathers who instilled in them the values of life and of sharing the love and music from the north end of Hawai'i Island - where a king was born.

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Aloha,

No! I didn't spell it wrong!!

The title of this CD, "D~Tour" is twofold. First of all, the songs are all in some form of a D-tuning on the guitar which can be interpreted as a "tour" in the D-tuning. It also implies that for me, it is a detour from my usual slack key compositions. I truly enjoyed creating these songs and along with the cool arrangements & rhythms provided by my good friend, Charles Recaido, it was really fun to do! Except for the cello, everything else is just Charlie and me!

I hope you enjoy the new sounds and find something you like on this little "D~Tour!!"

Mahalo,
John

CD is available for $10 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.

Aloha everyone,

I humbly share with you some new compositions and some that go back 30 years. I truly thank all of you who have encouraged me and embraced my music and my family throughout the years. Your friendships are what I cherish the most – I hear your laughter, I envision your smiles and value your thoughts – I love your “hugs” cause I can feel the Aloha in your hearts!

Love you all,

John

In remembrance of my father, Clarence Keawe
He continues to inspire me.

Special Guests:
Barry Flanagan #3
Sonny Lim #8
Herb Ohta Jr #9
Charles Recaido #2, 4, 6, 8, 11
Dave Moran #8
Hope Keawe #4, 6, 8
Naomi & Shelly Keawe #2
The "Bird" at Waipio #3

CDs are available for $16 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.

Through the years, I’ve enjoyed writing songs about many different subjects and “hopefully” have learned how to better craft a song. People sometimes ask, how would you describe your music, what style is it or what audience are you trying to target? To be truthful, those thoughts never enter my mind. I don’t try to analyze my music or question it. I’m just grateful that the Lord provides these thoughts and ideas and makes them accesible to me. I write what I feel in my heart and what I hear in my head. That’s it! Simply said, “It is what it is!”.

I truly hope you enjoy listening to these compostions as much as I enjoy sharing them with you.

Mahalo ~~ John

I dedicate this CD in memory of my good buddy and life long friend, Wayne “Dobo” Francisco.

CDs are available for $16 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.

Again, in John's relaxed manner, he shares slack key pieces in a variety of tunings. Arrangements of both traditional as well as John's originals are broken down " KEAWE STYLE" -- to simplify the art and beauty of Hawaiian Slack key guitar.

$21.50 per DVD includes shipping for Hawaii & US Mainland orders. Order now through Homestead Productions.

The simple beauty of the open strings is what attracted me to Hawaiian slack-key guitar. The slackened bass strings resonating as the melody is played on the higher strings - Sooo sweet!! Slack-key has the capability to transport you to places in your heart and mind - places that are sometimes familiar or somewhere you have never been before.

Hawaiian slack-key is truly an integral part of Hawaii's cultural history. It is a language within itself, it touches you, it certainly “speaks” to you - you just have to listen with your heart.

The compositions are comprised of 12 instrumentals and 4 vocals (lyrics). They are all originals except for two songs which were co-written. Inspirations for these songs came from a variety of avenues:

*from experimenting with different tunings
*people and places
*from the past
*of love and longing
*and some are purely for the enjoyment and fun of playing slack-key!

With Aloha ~ John

CDs are available for $16 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.

John Keawe's Instructional Slack-Key DVD: Watch, listen and play along to 5 original songs by John Keawe. In his relaxed way, John plays each song through, then breaks in down into sections which allows you to learn at your own pace.

Here is what some students have said about his instructional DVD.

"I've been a student of Slack Key Guitar for a couple of years now. I've seen every instructional Slack Key Tape/DVD available. John I can say with all honesty your DVD is by far the best out there. I found the instruction very easy to follow and your teaching method is very inspiring and not intimidating at all. Beginning through advanced players will find this DVD a valuable tool and great resource for learning your beautiful Ki Ho 'Alu. Mahalo Nui for sharing your music through this wonderful Instructional DVD."

Greg Phillips
Oceanside CA

$21.50 per DVD includes shipping for Hawaii & US Mainland orders. Order now through Homestead Productions.

John Keawe "Music With The Island Touch" is John's first DVD release.  This insightful documentary brillantly captures the essence of a gifted Master of Kiho`alu (Slack-Key).  The story includes live performances and personal interviews from this Slack-Key Great.  It also features John's beautiful wife, Hope, and her signature hula and incorporates amazing imagery from the Big Island, Maui and Oahu.

$21.50 per DVD includes shipping for Hawaii & US Mainland orders. Order now through Homestead Productions.

Also Available on Amazon Prime Video

Keaweualani is the name carried by my ancestors. My great grandfather, Joseph Keaweualani had ten children, one of which was my grandfather also named Joseph Keaweualani. Somewhere along the way, he dropped the “ualani” and so it has been Keawe ever since. I chose to entitle this CD “Keaweualani” because I want to bring my ohana from the past into the forefront. Traditions are passed on directly in the living world and sometimes indirectly through the spiritual world. I often feel the presence of my ancestors in my music and my daily life.

This year has been filled with both wonderful expierences and challenging situations. In the few months of working on this project, many things happened. Going to the studio served as a quiet sanctuary where I could “focus” on the music.....

The songs are varied... some reflective, others revealing and a few are just fun!! May you find an element of yourself in these selections.

Reviews:

"The Hoku Award-winner has never been one to court mainstream acclaim but the consistent high quality of his work here reaffirms his stature as a musician and songwriter."

~ John Berger

Honolulu Star-Bulletin

"I've said it before, and I see no reason to change my opinion - John Keawe, despite being a Hoku award winner, is one of the most underrated musicians in the state.  This new CD from the North Kohala slack key artist is his best yet."

~ John Burnett

Hawaii Island Journal

CDs are available for $16 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.

Initially, this recording was going to consist of solo guitar. But, while in the studio, I heard some other guitar parts that could possibly enhance some of the songs. So I experimented with different tunings (but still playing in the same key) which added subtle changes to the texture of some of the selections. Some of the songs are traditional slack-key and others are my own creations.

We treasure what we learn from those who have come before us. We grasp what we can from them and incorporate that knowledge into our own endeavors. This in turn produces new techniques, new voicings and new creations... which I humbly share with you.
Aloha piha--- John

Dedicated to my brother Steve, Thank you for your love for living. And your easy going manner the many times we laughed till we cried! I miss that, I miss you.

CDs are available for $16 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.

Through the years I have had many suggestions by people on what to record. Some say "this kind" of music-others say "that kind" of music. While they all mean well, I have to look carefully into my own heart and listen to what it's telling me. My songs are gifts from a greater source and what better gift can I give back than to share this music with other people. Music is a wonderful form of expression. It captures ones most intimate thoughts and emotions, and truely reveals what dwells in your heart.

With Heartfelt Aloha,

To my mom, Edith Keawe, who has journeyed to an eternal life.....to be my guardian angel.

You were always there for me I'd just call and there you'd be in your special way - you always made things right. you taught me how to live each day 'How to love and how to pray, how to forgive -- you made me understand.

CDs are available for $16 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.

John's Holiday album includes:

1. Greensleves-3:44
2. Christmas Is-- 4:10
3. Away In The Manger- 3:04
4. Hi'olani- Keiki O Hawaii 4:20
5. Little Drummer Boy- 3:12
6 . My Little Boy- 3:53
7. We three Kings- 3:00
8. Slack Key Heaven- 4:41
9. The First Noel- 2:38
10. In Gods Hands- 4:37
11. Silent Night- 3:37
12. Santa's Coming Over the Rainbow- 3:1

CDs are available for $16 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.

Dedicated to my best friend, My wife, Hope
I thank the Lord for granting me the opportunity to create and share my music. Mahalo to my ohana, both near and far for you loyal support and aloha. To Charles Recaido for his perceptiveness, advice and friendship. Harry Wishard for capturing my thoughts and feelings in his art. And Kim Sweeney for putting it all together.

To all the friendships (old and new) that have blossomed through the sharing of music-

I LOVE YOU MAN !!

CDs are available for $16 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.

Through the years, various slack key techniques and styles have been developed. The ideas and influences that inspire us to create come from a variety of sources. But the simplicity and the magic that transpires between the slack key player and the guitar can only come from within. I thank the Lord for his guidance. Mahalo to my parents for their help, encouragement and love: my three sons for their inspiration; my wife Hope, for helping me to believe in my self.

Special thanks to the family of the late Tommy Solomon of Kohala for turning me on to Uncle Tommy's recording of Old Timers Hula, recorded in 1946. Also for the use of his old Martin guitar, which I used to record my rendition of Old Timers Hula.

CDs are available for $16 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.

Ho'onanea - "To pass the time in ease' peace and pleasure' to relax' absorbed, contented."

In this hectic, fast-paced world in which we live, we need to take time to reflect and absorb the everyday occurrences in our lives. Music unleashes many emotions. it is my hope that these instrumentals will provide a peaceful medium for you to relax your mind, examine your heart, nurture your soul and rekindle your spirit.

CDs are available for $16 plus shipping direct from Homestead Productions.