Slack Key 'Ohana is a California-based Hawaiian band performing harmony-rich original songs in the Hawaiian style, along with its own interpretations of traditional Hawaiian classics.

The story began in 2020, when lifelong musician Brian Witkin recruited Hawaiian recording artist Kamaka Mullento refine his skills in the Hawaiian method of slack key guitar. They became friends and formed the first iteration of Slack Key ‘Ohana, a duo.

In 2021, they recorded their first EP, featuring pedal steel player Rand Anderson and released on Pacific Records. The self-titled EP debuted at #2 on the iTunes World Music charts and subsequently earned the group the 2022 San Diego Music Award for “Best World Music Album” and a live performance at the awards ceremony at Humphrey’s By The Bay.

Brian’s parents took notice; his dad, Joe Witkin was a former member of many bands, including Sha Na Na when it performed at the original Woodstock festival in 1969. His musician mom, Carol Witkin, was always in love with Hawaii and, immersing herself in her ukulele music during the COVID pandemic, realized that she was playing the same songs as her son. They asked to sit in at a rehearsal and, at the end of 2021, joined the band. Wonderfully ironic, as “ ‘ohana” means “family” in Hawaiian.

In August 2022, Slack Key ‘Ohana performed a 50-minute set at San Diego’s Tiki Oasis, one of the largest recurring nationwide island music and Tiki festivals. The set was recorded live and released as a full-length album, “Live at Tiki Oasis”, this time debuting at #1 on the iTunes World Music charts and garnering another SDMA nomination. Riding the wave of the increasing popularity of Hawaiian music, Slack Key ‘Ohana performed over 100 shows in 2022, and quickly gained a firm foothold in its genre. Prominent island music festivals played included PIFA (Pacific Islander Music Festival, San Diego), Alohana (Palm Springs), and the Slack Key Festival at Redondo Beach, CA.

For 2023, Slack Key ‘Ohana released an original single, “Nahenahe Ka Leo o Ka Wahine Uʻi”, earning an additional SDMA award for "Best World Music Song". The band again performed over 100 shows, including returns to Tiki Oasis, Alohana, and the Slack Key Festival at Redondo Beach, and a new festival addition, Tiki Caliente (Palm Springs). In September, they performed at the inaugural Slack Key Festival at The Shops at Wailea, Maui, a fundraising event following the Lahaina fires. There, they appeared alongside Hawaiian slack key notables George Kahumoku, Jr, Kevin Brown, and Anthony Fluke. Also in 2023, Romero Creations, maker of the ukuleles played by Slack Key ‘Ohana’s Carol and Kamaka, endorsed Slack Key ‘Ohana as a Romero Creations Artist.

Slack Key ‘Ohana’s latest full length studio album, “Hawaiian Cowboy” was released on April 5, 2024, and again debuted at #1 on the iTunes World Music Charts. Recorded at the state-of-the-art, invitation-only Studio 606owned by Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), this album includes guest artist performances by George Kahumoku, Jr, Brittni Paiva, and ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons. Featuring nine original songs and five Hawaiian classics, the album isavailable on all streaming platforms as well as in CD and vinyl formats.

Slack Key ‘Ohana’s instrumentation includes two guitars, ukulele, bass, lap steel and pedal steel. Brian’s brother Sean Witkin– more ‘ohana! – joins the band on drums on occasion, as do sister Hula dancers Alana and Alyssa Godoy.

Slack Key ‘Ohana’s bassist Joe Witkin was recently endorsed by KALA as a KALA U-Bass artist.

This Summer, one of Hawaiiʻs most explosive talents, Tavana, will embark on a highly  anticipated first tour of California’s West Coast. Tavana is a one-man musical wrecking crew  from Honolulu, who uses his feet to lay down a variety of grooves while simultaneously playing  guitar, banjo, lap steel, or ukulele and singing deep-soulful, island-inspired rock and blues. He  consistently sells shows out in Hawaii leaving audiences in awe of his musical energy. The tour  is titled after his latest single ‘In the Water’ which was written for and is dedicated to everyone  impacted by the fires in Lahaina, Maui, and will be a driving force for this tour. 

“He’s more the exception than the rule, he is a great human and I’m glad to know him” —Eddie Vedder 

“Tavana is a man on a mission and big opportunities await his arrival. As a human being and  friend, Tavana’s a chill guy, honest and easygoing. I believe he’s on the edge of going big.” — Henry Kapono 

Tavana is known for his Waikiki jam sessions and regularly jams with a who’s who of players in  Hawaii, including Eddie Vedder who invited Tavana to sing ‘Hawaii 78’ - a Hawaii anthem of  sorts - with him at the Hawaii Theatre. From a recording of their performance together, Vedder  produced a limited vinyl record that was sent out to 10,000 Pearl Jam fans. Vedder also took  Tavana out on tour for several dates as his opening act for his solo album. Tavana has jammed  with many musical greats, including Jack Johnson, Pat Simmons, Michael McDonald, Henry  Kapono, G Love, Willie K, John Cruz, Ron and Thunderstorm Artis, and Leon Mobley (Ben  Harper & The Innocent Criminals). He also has been the supporting act for Alabama Shakes,  Shakey Graves, Xavier Rudd, Jenny Lewis, Julian Marley, and Kaleo to name just a few.  

Tavana is a multi-Nā Hōkū Hanohano (Hawaiian Grammy®) nominee and is currently featured  on an in-flight video on all Hawaiian Airlines. He was a featured artist on Henry Kapono’s “The  Songs of C&K”, and is also a featured “Playing for Change” artist.