Slack-key guitar legend told not to play at Honolulu airport

Ledward Kaapana says he likes to play at airports to help relax travelers and ease their nerves.

[@dorthymcbride3384]

Omg! LEDWARD entertained locals who may not be able to attend his performances!! Mahalo for sharing your Aloha spirit!❤ it was always free😊

[@Kaaukuu]

No can believe. Telling Ledward Kaapana to not play guitar is like telling God to not make the sun rise. His music is a blessing. Long time ago, I went to see him play in Waikiki. I remember thinking, "I cannot believe I'm listening just a few feet away from one of the greatest musicians in the world." He's one of the nicest people I have ever met. So much aloha! Zero arrogance. You can bet that he would never do to someone else what that security guard did to him. When you enforce the law, you have to exercise discretion or you can end up doing an injustice. Anyway, this incident was a long time ago, and I hope that everything has been straightened out with no hard feelings towards anyone. Aloha, everybody.

[@sharoncecil4124]

Ledward is excellent! I think the fact that he was playing for free is just amazing and excellent!

[@patriciayomes8800]

You kidding right! I think Airport is Federally operated. Depends where you headed--Mokulele flys to other islands. If Head of HNL Airport keep it up--he won’t get paid! Why? Airport close down!

[@councilmandoug808]

They should be paying this man to be there.

[@MrAoki777]

This is RIDICULOUS! Long time ago Hawaiian musicians used to play in airports all the time, especially for the TOURISTS! GET A LIFE Security and airport officials!

[@jamesmcgraw724]

Good grief… what an anal law that stops a musical legend from performing at a crowded airport … people all over the planet know this man and his music. Bet it was heaven for the stressed out travelers to hear his magic. Unbelievable!

[@peterreichert6156]

I had the privilege of hearing Led Kaapana at the Lihue airport several years ago. My only complaint was that a flight change was announced over the PA, and Led and his friends had to get up and go to another gate! It was a magical experience. Led is a Hawaiian treasure!

[@sandramorey2529]

Most of us "LedHeads" pay a fortune to listen to him play. Before 911 there were seniors who would play and we would dance, but after 911 that was eliminated. Very sad, as it was an easing of our going home blues.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing your report..

[@mjfoste]

If you have the mad skills that Ledward has you should be able to play anywhere. If you are just some scrub, then they should not allow you to play.

[@UnkoB-jo]

Lucky to even have him play for free.

[@kennethwaight9051]

How then do you explain ‘public’ pianos in British tube/train stations as well as most of the major airports throughout Europe.

[@dorthymcbride3384]

No worries! He's good😇🙏🌎🙌💯👌👍❤️

[@oceanlover8745]

Uncle Ledward is a living legend!! Somebody from the top Jealous of the man's talents , so they call the gadut to go spoil everybodys day!!

[@pcl...77]

Hey led love this melody 😊

[@jimmoos2557]

When I first arrived in Hawaii on an Air Force civilian flight, I heard this "corny" Hawaiian music as soon as I exited the plane late at night. It was part of the Aloha experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Much later, I learned Taro Patch (somewhat). Knowing that they probably still play "Hawaiian" music in the airport, it seems ridiculous that Led was stopped from playing Jim Moos, Niantic CT

[@jamesmoeller9366]

Rule should only apply when the location is not by choice. That is, when passengers are in a line-que and thereby forced to listening. If you can walk away, less offensive than odor, or snoring. No mention of acapella in the restrictive law? 😢

[@jennifers6435]

Wish I was in the same airport as Ledward

[@Errr717]

So it is now summer 2022. Did the lawmakers ever change the law? Whoever made them in the first place should be ashamed to ban playing music at the airport or any any public place for the matter. Hawaiian music is Hawaii, and Hawaii is all about Hawaiian culture expressed in Hawaiian music. I wonder if hula dancing is also banned?

[@rentatrip1videos]

That is like telling Elton John to stop playing piano at the Mall

[@kennethwaight9051]

And, with regard to Sir Elton, DONATING a piano just for the purpose of the travelling public……..tsk! tsk!

[@jeremiahsubchannel2671]

I'm not doing Stone wall anymore,i haft to take my guitar and hang around Him to learn anywhere he's going,the Legend,

[@nesiansoulallstars]

They are from the mainland and have know idea of who he and honolulu airport has a very mainland attitude

[@leikilimaile2565]

Ho man I would love to here him play, at Hawaiian airlines wtf

[@kawikadee9670]

The security was fired.

[@JuukezeBarbie]

change that law..very uncool..

[@shirley43]

Sorry, but fire that security guard! Ledward is the BEST!

[@normanrezentesjr559]

Maika'i kela Hawaiian, keep on jamming nahe'nahe style🌈👌🤙

[@boulejazz]

Dumb laws should not be enforced. Security should just ignore it. Let the music play.

[@rocky-iv1446]

Their ignorance is amazing and not so shocking, to not even know a Hawaiian first of all and let alone a Slack Key legend of Hawaii! Auwe no ho i shame shame shame!!

[@KimcheeRacing]

Dude I love music but imagine if Yoko Ono started screaming a "song" in the middle of the airport. On the same note, she could be doing it on street corner busking too.. It shouldn't be against the law.

[@hekili5183]

What law!? THIS IS THE HAWAIIAN KINGDOM AND THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST MUSIC PLAYING IN SUCH PLACES

[@alikaa_0285]

dis is so stupid everybody should b allowed to play dea instruments and sing freely we don't need the government to tell us we cannot!!!

[@theoversouls]

Not everyone has the same taste in music. Also, in my case, I have extremely sensitive hearing. What if this guy was playing bagpipes - or some other instrument you don't like? The quieter the better in my opinion. There are plenty of other venues he could play where the audience is voluntary and not forced to listen.

[@boulejazz]

Noise cancelling AirPods or foam earplugs should do the job for those with sensitive hearing or differing tastes. For most people, an acoustic guitar is very easy on the ears and brings the aloha spirit. Let the music play.

[@guitarguyinhawaii6185]

Change the dumb law that should have never been made

[@ukestudio3002]

A law against music..

[@gabrielaashley1218]

What a shame. People are sick and evil

[@chaunceypaulos3712]

Welcome to Hawaii no more Aloha see it everywhere now Shame

[@kurtrapplai1087]

Yeah, let's change da law and get *everybody* playing "Surf" or whateva like one open mic night in da airport waiting areas. Yeah, right. There's a time and place for dat and da areas near da boarding gates are not where dat should be happening. Everybody feel entitled nowadays. smh. If you like go kanikapila at da airport, get one contract/permit thru da DOT, like da odda guys, and go fo' broke. Why you t'ink get one law in da *firs'* place?

[@biltom]

do da do da....dat is so stoooopid.....change de law, dat is whud id do.....dat or shoots da curity guard man, dat is de bestest ding to do....dat is rite.....now excuse me, I am going inside to watch The Amos and Andy show on television, may you fellow college graduates have a great day......yawssuh, dat is de bestest thang we uns shud do......do do dah day......whatever.

[@patriciayomes8800]

How disgusting! This is Hawaii n not New York!