Here's a guide to some of the best collections of classic Hawaiian music... There aren't that records out there, but pretty much all the ones that are available are top-notch. This page is mainly devoted to the classic Hawaiian steel guitar recordings of the 1920-1950s, which mixed dynamic technique with Tin Pan Alley-inspired showmanship. (A separate Slipcue page is devoted to albums by individual artists.)

• Stevo's Hawaiian Music Guide is a pretty definitive fan site, with links to many others, and an elaborate internet radio hookup, for those of you who might want to check the stuff out online before you rush to the retail sites listed below...

• Cord International is a mailorder service that carries dozens of hard-to-find classic Hawaiian albums, and also has its own label, Hana Ola Records, that has several Island-oriented albums. Nice resource!

• Mele.Com has an even wider range of albums available, stretching into the modern era, and also carries songbooks and instructional videos for folks looking to learn the slack-key guitar style. This Kauai-based outfit also has links to numerous cultural groups and Island artists on their website. Great resource!

• Here's an excellent article on Hawaiian music on the Surfing For Life website... a very cogent essay about the history and growth of the various island styles. Check it out!

• Dancing Cat Records also has a great essay explaining the slack-key guitar style... plus their records (see above) are all pretty sweet.

• The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame is a nonprofit group which honors various Island musicians... Their website has some nice content, but it's a little hard to find the artist info (look under "honorees") amid all the intra-organizational clutter. Cool resource, though!

• The Ukulele Occasional is a "semi-annual magazine devoted to the ukulele, its players and collectors" published by uke enthusiast Jason Verlinde... Check out their website for more info on the magazine and it's availability...

• Cumquat Records is an Autralian label with several collections of rare Island oldies. I haven't heard them yet, but have had them highly recommended by other Slipcue readers. I'll keep you posted...

• Mountain Apple

World Music Index