Award-winning family trio brings The ʻOhana Sessions to Santa Cruz and San Francisco during a weekend of island music, family harmony, and tropical celebration.
SAN DIEGO, CA (August 20, 2026): Award-winning family trio Slack Key ʻOhana will celebrate National Mai Tai Day with the August 30 release of the official music video for “Mai Tais in Paradise,” a warm and breezy original song from the group’s chart-topping new album, The ʻOhana Sessions.
The video arrives at the conclusion of a Northern California performance weekend featuring Slack Key ʻOhana at Pono Hawaiian Grill in Santa Cruz on Friday, August 28, followed by a special performance at San Francisco’s acclaimed tiki destination Pagan Idol on Saturday, August 29.
Released by Pacific Records, “Mai Tais in Paradise” debuted at No. 4 on the iTunes Worldwide singles chart. Co-written by Slack Key ʻOhana frontman Brian Witkin, the song celebrates the iconic tropical cocktail and the simple pleasure of slowing down, appreciating the moment, and briefly escaping the pressures of everyday life.
“‘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.”
That spirit carries into the new music video, directed by Reba Marabotto and Stephen Tavares, pairing the song’s rich family harmonies, hula dancing from Puahis Polynesian Dancers, and relaxed island instrumentation with imagery inspired by tropical celebration, togetherness, and the carefree atmosphere at the heart of Slack Key ʻOhana’s music.
The video will premiere on Sunday, August 30, in recognition of National Mai Tai Day—an occasion that feels naturally connected to both the song and the band’s mission of creating music that transports listeners somewhere warm, peaceful, and joyful.
“Music and a great Mai Tai have something in common: both can change the atmosphere and bring people together,” Witkin adds. “Releasing this video on National Mai Tai Day gives everyone an excuse to raise a glass, enjoy the music, and create a little paradise wherever they happen to be.”
“Mai Tais in Paradise” appears on Slack Key ʻOhana’s new album, The ʻOhana Sessions, which debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Worldwide albums chart following its August 7 release. The album is the trio’s most personal recording to date, placing the focus on Brian Witkin, his mother Carol Witkin, and his father Joe Witkin.
Built around three-part vocal harmonies, Hawaiian slack key guitar, ukulele, and organic instrumentation, the album was recorded with the musicians performing together in real time using vintage and analog equipment. The group avoided samples, excessive editing, and artificial production techniques in favor of spontaneous performances and authentic human interaction.
“There’s a unique energy when it’s just the three of us,” Witkin explains. “This is the first full studio album we’ve made entirely around the trio. It allowed us to return to our roots and focus on the musical chemistry and family connection that inspired us to play together in the first place.”
The Northern California shows will give audiences an opportunity to experience that connection in person during the weekend leading into the video premiere.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
Friday, August 28, 2026 — 6:00 p.m.
Pono Hawaiian Grill
Santa Cruz, California
Saturday, August 29, 2026 — 8:30 p.m.
Pagan Idol
San Francisco, California
Sunday, August 30, 2026
“Mai Tais in Paradise” Official Music Video Premiere
National Mai Tai Day
Since forming in 2021, Slack Key ʻOhana has emerged as one of the most celebrated acts in contemporary island music. The group has earned two World Entertainment Awards, two San Diego Music Awards, multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations, and multiple No. 1 releases on the iTunes World Music chart.
The trio’s multigenerational musical heritage includes Joe Witkin’s history as a founding member of Sha Na Na, with whom he performed at the original Woodstock festival. Today, Brian, Carol, and Joe continue that family legacy through a distinctive blend of Hawaiian slack key guitar, ukulele, island rhythms, Americana, blues influences, three-part harmony, and heartfelt storytelling.
The ʻOhana Sessions is available digitally and in physical formats, including translucent green 12-inch vinyl, CD, and cassette.
Listen to The ʻOhana Sessions:
https://orcd.co/ohanasessions
Watch “Mai Tais in Paradise”:
https://youtu.be/sATi07ZX6a0?si=1L7vxLkARcoKbVpM
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 performances across Hawaiʻi and the mainland United States, Slack Key ʻOhana continues to share its message of family, community, joy, and aloha with audiences around the world.
Slack Key ʻOhana Online
Website: https://slackkeyohana.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slackkeyohana
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SlackKeyOhana/