Pancho Graham

Listened to great slack key guitar by Pancho Graham tonight playing at the Lighthouse Bistro in Kilauea. Pancho is masterful with six-string guitar and a mellow singer, playing in a very relaxing laid-back style. More than one person on the island recommended Pancho and he did not disappoint.

You can sample his music here - "Pine tree slack key" is his signature piece that he closed with. Slack key is uniquely Hawaiian guitar tuning where strumming the open strings produces a major chord. The music has a very special sound that fits this place perfectly.

The Lighthouse Bistro is a nice venue: a small bar and modest size dining area all opened up on one side to an open courtyard surrounded by a collection of shops. Fresh fish, good food, several beers on tap, and friendly service. Pancho seems to be an institution playing Thursdays at the Bistro, but for the latest check out the live music schedule here. To get there turn makai at Kilauea (just north of milepost 23) at the Shell gas station; follow Kolo Road a block or two, then take the well-signed first left on Kilauea Road (toward the lighthouse) for about 1/2 mile to Kong Lung shopping center where the venue is located. Tonight I walked in without a reservation and got a nice table near Pancho to enjoy the show.