Rhythmic Hawaiian history …

The history of the West’s collision with Polynesia can just about be detected in the slack key guitar traditions of Hawaii. It is considered likely (by such as consider such probabilities) that Hawaiians were first introduced to the guitar via European sailors at the start of the 19th century. Spanish and Mexican cowboys, who were later hired by the Hawaiian king to help manage cattle, eventually left their guitars to the paniolo, the Hawaiian cowboys, who slackened the strings and adapted the instrument to their own native musical traditions. Anyway, current Hawaiian Slap Key Guitar Masters George Kahumoku, Keola Beamer and Ozzie Kotani (pictured) appear at Paradise Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Jan. 17. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door. Presented by North Valley Productions. More information: NVP, 345-8136 or PPAC, 872-8454.