PBS Hawai‘i Presents Pu‘uwai Haokila: The Story of How Hawai‘i Shaped Modern Music

Hawaiian music has long carried a sound unmistakably its own—lyrical, rhythmic and rooted in a deep connection to place and identity. Yet beyond its local connection, Hawaiian music has had a far-reaching impact, one that has extended across continents and genres.

Joseph Kekuku, inventor of the steel guitar. Photo: Courtesy of PBS Hawai‘i

At the heart of this legacy is the invention of the steel guitar, created in the 1880s by Joseph Kekuku of Lā‘ie, Windward O‘ahu. Kekuku produced a sound that would ripple across the Pacific Ocean into blues, country and bluegrass music in the decades to come.

Joseph Kekuku. Photo: Courtesy of The Redpath Chautauqua Collection, University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa

As early as the 1840s, Hawaiian musicians were touring internationally, performing in opera houses and small-town tents alike. These artists traveled with more than songs—they carried their culture, language and the spirit of a nation facing political upheaval. While their sovereignty was under threat at home, they used music to assert pride and presence wherever they performed.

Kawaihau Glee Club, 1901. Photo: Courtesy of the Hawaiʻi State Archives

Contemporary accounts revealed just how impactful these performances were. A Kansas newspaper in 1895 described a concert by the Royal Hawaiian Band and Glee Club as among the finest ever heard. In 1911, The Detroit Times noted how Hawaiian guitarists seemed to “hold audiences spellbound.” The music was mesmerizing and left an imprint on American ears.

Despite this, Hawaiian music’s influence often has gone unrecognized in mainstream music history, even as it shaped the sound of America.

Raiatea Helm in the PBS Hawai‘i studio. Photo: Courtesy of PBS Hawai‘i

Pu‘uwai Haokila: The Story of How Hawai‘i Shaped Modern Music is a new PBS Hawai‘i film narrated by Raiatea Helm. It explores this overlooked history or legacy and how, while geographically remote at the time, Hawai‘i shaped the music world far beyond its shores.

Pu‘uwai Haokila: The Story of How Hawai‘i Shaped Modern Music

Thursday, May 29, 7:30 p.m.

Exclusively streaming on pbshawaii.org and YouTube

SEE ALSO: PBS Hawai‘i Presents In Hawaiian Hands: The Story of Reggae in Hawai‘i

Every month, HONOLULU publishes a blog written by the folks at PBS Hawai‘i, the only locally owned, statewide television station in Hawai‘i that receives support mainly through donations. Visit pbshawaii.org to learn more about exceptional, locally produced shows and the most prominent provider of educational and national programming. Explore music and the arts, discover in-depth documentaries and learn what makes Hawai‘i so special. Follow PBS Hawai‘i on all platforms: @pbshawaii