Here's what one student has to say about George's 5th Annual Workshop held June 20-23, 2002...

June 24, 2002 Gerry Lam writes "I attended George Kahumoku's workshop this past weekend on Maui from Thursday through Sunday. George has created an incredible legacy in slack key. Something that makes our community proud. He is one of Hawaii's foremost ambassadors of Hawaiian culture on the mainland and here at home. He brings in mainlanders who love slack key music. Funny seeing haole people struggling with classic slack key and Hawaiian songs, but endearing to see their souls rejoice and love for the islands and peoples. George is certainly a work from Ke Akua and he is unselfish in sharing himself and his enterprise of Hawaii with everyone.

George has worked hard often without thanks or recognition. He is another current master of slack key guitar and of blood roots in Hawaii. Cyril Pahinui participated as did Carlos Andrade (Class of 1962) who composed Hula Lady, and Ozzie Kotani (my second mentor after Aunty Alice Namakelua).

George's son, Keoki, who performs professionally also, was a master in residence there. Keoki look just like George during small kid times. He reminded me of George in school - exactly like how George spoke and acted. But boy can Keoki sing. All the pro's were unselfish with their 4 days and had true Aloha and charity. And then stayed to give even more at the Slack Key Festival on Maui. Most pro's would be grumpy, self-absorbed, and on their way home early. What impressed me was that not only did the pro's make a difference in other people's musical experience, more importantly, they made a difference in their personal lives by sharing their personal time unselfishly and tirelessly.

George put on a great workshop and those that came from the mainland had 4 days of life changing experiences with George, Ozzie, Cyril, Keoki, Carlos and a few other local bruddahs. Every night was kanikapila where each individual got up to play plugged in the amp solo in front of everyone including tourists at the hotel. What a personal revelation for many. But good experience with stage fright, screeching strings from stiff fingers, buzzing notes from nervous hands, and dribbles of shee-shee in da BeeVeedee's when the piko goes numb. Nevertheless, everyone got enthusiastic ovations. The workshops with the pro's were wonderful. Cyril really put out and for those who like play in C tuning - nothing like Cyril. I'm a convert. Carlos did his D tuning as well.

Sunday, the whole group went on stage at the Annual Slack Key Guitar Festival in Kahului and performed two songs - Waikapu and Haleakala. The applause was so loud I think the auditorium got noise complaints from Lihue around there kinds."

-Gerry Lam, Honolulu, Hawaii

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