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The Hawaiian steel guitar was born in the islands around the turn of the 20th century, but exactly where, when, and how is still a point of discussion. The instrument is held horizontally on the player’s lap, and a sliding steel bar is used instead of fingers on the fret board. The sound was particularly big during the Sweet Leilani era.

A small theater that hosts frequent choral recitals.

From 1900 to the early 1930s was the era when U.S. mainland composers were greatly influenced by Hawai’i, mostly as a result of the way the islands were portrayed by Hollywood. This era – when songs like Sweet Leilani , Yacka Hula Hickey Dula , and My Honolulu Lady were composed – is called the Hapa-Haole or Sweet Leilani era.

Honolulu’s dressy Cosmo-drinking crowd gathers here to flirt and dance to a backbeat of DJ music in various genres.

As an oral tradition, Hawaiian stories and family histories were related through chant (oli ). Ranging greatly in style, oli are used for scores of reasons, from prayers and lamentations to requests for permission to gather flora.

Honolulu’s longest-running hardcore rock haven.

As a miscellany of musical styles from around the world has made its way to the islands, so it is increasingly influencing musicians. Jawaiian describes a blend of reggae and Hawaiian music, and island rappers are now putting their own slant on hip-hop music.

Smooth stones – two are held in each hand and played by hula dancers in a style similar to Spanish castanets.

A gift from the Portuguese that’s now integral to modern Hawaiian music. “Jumping flea” was how Hawaiians first described the sound.

Gourd shakers that are filled with seeds and usually topped with feathers.