The title of his award-winning 1993 release, Ho'onanea ("To pass the time in peace and pleasure"), pretty well sums up John Keawe's old-style slack key guitar performances. Songwriter and master of the fingerpicking style developed in the 19th century by Hawai'ian cowboys who loosened, or "slacked" their guitar strings to produce a characteristic resonance, John takes this soft, sweet sound and lends it his own playful personal touch.