Ki ho`alu

Ki ho`alu is the Hawai`ian name for a finger-style of guitar playing where some of the strings are often, but not always, loosened, or slackened from standard tuning to an Open Tuning.

Ki = key, or tuning key

ho`alu = loose, or to loosen

'Ki ho`alu' is also often characterized by the use of an alternating-bass pattern usually played by the thumb on the lower two or three strings of the guitar, while the melody is played simultaneously on the three or four highest strings using any number of fingers. Many Ki ho`alu players incorporate various embellishments such as Harmonics(chimes), the hammer-on, the pull-off, Slides and Damping.

Ki ho`alu, or Slack Key, is but one style, or expression, of the rich traditions found in Hawaiian Music.

English translation for Ki ho `alu is Slack Key, or Slack-Key.