July 24, 2026 – Some songs instantly transport you somewhere else. The sound of an ukulele. The warmth of a tropical breeze. A favorite drink in hand as the sun dips below the horizon.
That spirit comes alive on “Mai Tais in Paradise,” the joyful new single from award-winning family trio Slack Key ʻOhana. Arriving July 24, the track serves as the first release from the group’s forthcoming album, The ʻOhana Sessions, due August 7.
Warm, breezy, and effortlessly inviting, “Mai Tais in Paradise” captures everything listeners have come to love about Slack Key ʻOhana: rich three-part vocal harmonies, uplifting musicianship, and the kind of carefree island storytelling that makes everyday worries feel a world away. Co-written by frontman Brian Witkin, the song is inspired by one of his favorite tropical traditions: the iconic Mai Tai; and the simple joy of slowing down long enough to savor life’s moments.
“‘Mai Tais in Paradise’ is really about creating a feeling,” says Witkin. “It’s about being present, appreciating where you are, and finding those moments that allow you to escape, even if only for a few minutes. We wanted the song to feel like a mini vacation.”
The release also offers listeners an early glimpse into The ʻOhana Sessions, a project that finds Slack Key ʻOhana returning to their roots and embracing the family bond at the heart of their music. Unlike previous releases that featured an array of celebrated guest artists (including ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons and George Kahumoku Jr.), the new album intentionally places the spotlight on the trio itself: Brian Witkin, his mother Carol Witkin, and his father Joe Witkin.
Recorded live together using vintage and analog equipment, The ʻOhana Sessions captures the warmth, spontaneity, and emotional connection that have become hallmarks of the band’s sound. The album rejects digital shortcuts and overproduction in favor of authentic performances, organic instrumentation, and genuine human interaction.
“There’s a unique energy when it’s just the three of us,” Witkin explains. “This is the first studio album we’ve created entirely around the trio, and it allowed us to focus on the musical chemistry and family connection that inspired us to start making music together in the first place.”
Since forming in 2021, Slack Key ʻOhana has emerged as one of the most celebrated acts in contemporary island music. Their self-titled debut album reached No. 2 on the iTunes World Music chart and earned Best World Music Album honors at the San Diego Music Awards. Subsequent releases, including Live at Tiki Oasis and Hawaiian Cowboy, both climbed to No. 1 on the iTunes World Music chart, while earning multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations—Hawaiʻi’s highest musical honor.
Earlier this year, the band’s single “Slack Key Blues” earned two World Entertainment Awards, including Best Global Traditional Song and Best Tropical Song, further cementing their reputation as one of the genre’s most exciting voices.
Yet despite the accolades, the essence of Slack Key ʻOhana remains remarkably simple. At its core, the group is still a family making music together. That legacy runs especially deep through Joe Witkin, a founding member of the legendary rock-and-roll group Sha Na Na, who famously performed at the original Woodstock Festival. Today, that multi-generational musical heritage continues through Slack Key ʻOhana’s distinctive blend of Hawaiian slack key guitar, ukulele, island rhythms, blues influences, and heartfelt storytelling.
As the band prepares to release The ʻOhana Sessions, fans will have multiple opportunities to experience Slack Key ʻOhana live throughout the summer. Upcoming appearances include Concerts at the Cove in Solana Beach, California (June 25), the Pacific Records Festival in Pacific Beach, California (July 19), Moonlight Beach Summer Concerts in Encinitas, California (July 25), and two performances at the internationally acclaimed Tiki Oasis Festival in San Diego on August 6 and August 8. Further embracing the album’s analog spirit, The ʻOhana Sessions will be available not only digitally, but also on translucent green 12-inch vinyl, CD, and cassette, offering listeners a variety of ways to experience the warmth and authenticity at the heart of the project.
Pre-Save the album here: https://orcd.co/theohanasessions
About Slack Key ʻOhana
Slack Key ʻOhana is an award-winning family trio featuring Brian, Carol, and Joe Witkin. Blending Hawaiian slack key guitar, ukulele, rich vocal harmonies, and island-inspired storytelling, the group has earned two World Entertainment Awards, two San Diego Music Awards, multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations, and multiple No. 1 albums on the iTunes World Music chart. Through more than 100 performances annually across Hawaiʻi and the mainland United States, Slack Key ʻOhana continues to share its message of family, community, and aloha with audiences around the world.
Slack Key Ohana Online