Slack Key and Steel Under Maui Skies: Barry Sless & Stephen Inglis in Kihei

On Maui’s south shore in Kihei, a 90-minute concert by Barry Sless and Stephen Inglis brings pedal steel and Hawaiian slack key guitar to a small, close-up stage at 1280 S Kihei Rd. Known for broad beaches and volcanic backdrops, Kihei provides the ideal setting for this intimate blend of island tradition and contemporary improvisation.

This show pairs Stephen Inglis’s kī hō‘alu (slack key) phrasing with Barry Sless’s pedal steel lines, creating a warm, resonant sound that both honors Hawaiian roots and pushes into Americana terrain. Expect spare, lyrical arrangements one moment and spacious, pedal-steel swells the next; the duo favors slow dynamics that let the instruments’ harmonics ring the way surf rings on the shore. The meeting point is 1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753.

The venue sits within a coastline defined by hardened lava flows, short lava outcrops, and long stretches of golden sand backed by ironwood and kiawe trees. On clear nights you can glimpse Haleakalā’s crater silhouette to the east and hear the surf as part of the room’s low-frequency accompaniment. Nearby coral reefs host green sea turtles and the occasional monk seal, so a pre- or post-show stroll along the shore often feels like an added movement in the evening’s set list.

This event matters because it preserves and amplifies a local musical lineage. Slack key guitar, or kī hō‘alu, is a Hawaiian fingerstyle tradition with tunings and phrasing unique to the islands; paired with pedal steel, it becomes a rare cross-cultural conversation. Musicians drawn to this program tend to be improvisers who respect melody and silence equally, which makes each performance unique and memorable.

Practical notes: the concert runs 90 minutes with no intermission and requires little more than arriving early for good seats. The show is family-friendly and accessible to most listeners. Tickets, booking, and a 48 hour cancellation policy are managed through the event organizer’s reservation link.

Whether you’re chasing a music night after beach time or seeking a deliberately quiet, soulful evening on Maui, Barry Sless and Stephen Inglis offer a distinct earful of place. The combination of slack key’s island dialect and pedal steel’s continental sighs creates a listening experience few other island nights provide—equal parts tradition, exploration, and the steady pulse of Pacific surf.

Arrive early to catch openers, plan for limited on-site parking, and consider public transit or rideshare. The neighborhood around 1280 S Kihei Rd includes casual eateries and shave ice stands—perfect for pre-show snacks. Bring a light layer for coastal breeze and reef-safe sunscreen if you plan to pair the night with a beach walk. For visitors wanting cultural context, ask performers about tunings and song origins; local musicians often share stories that deepen appreciation.