I am a full time stringed instrument builder (mandolins, guitars, ukuleles), restorer and player living in Kailua, Hawaii with my girlfriend, dog and two cats. We live by the beach and I work from home, very lucky to do what I love in such a magical place! I am also a historian working on a research project/book with the Martin Guitar Company exploring the history and influence of several key Hawaiian musicians on the evolution of the modern steel string guitar. I have led Hawaiis longest running Bluegrass and Americana band for the last 11 years, the Saloon Pilots and recently finished an album of all original Hawaiian inspired tunes with the great Peter Rowan, due to come out this year. In my spare time I love to stay busy with handyman jobs, carpentry, crafts, and gardening. Oh and I love to wash dishes! :0)
Interested in Art
Interested in Classical
Interested in Crafts
Interested in Design
Why I'm on Couchsurfing
My girlfriend Tarah and I are on a one month trip across Europe exploring, meeting new friends and searching for tonewoods to use in the building of my instruments. We love good food, cooking, history, architecture, music, and nature, we also love showing our corner of Paradise to visitors to Hawaii a very special place indeed.
Music, Movies, and Books
We love everything from Stevie Wonder to Ralph Stanley! Way to many kinds and people to list. We both play strings, love to sing and have spent many a night leading Beatles singalongs with improvised kitchen percussion! I listen most days to Stephane Grappelli, and Toots Thielemanns, Joe Pass on and Stan Getz....and Nino Rota! Big Lebowski, Powanasqaatsi, All the films of Federico Fellini. Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter... anything by Werner Herzog, Wes Anderson, lots more! Currently reading: The collected letters of Groucho Marx, To Steal A Kingdon- Hawaiis history by Hawaiis Queen.
One Amazing Thing I've Done
I was very lucky to spend 2 weeks paddling down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
Teach, Learn, Share
I can teach beginning to advanced guitar, and mandolin, music theory, songwriting and instrument restoration and repair as well. I am experienced in home repair, carpentry, fabrication and repair of leaded stained glass windows, and have a degree in Massage therapy.
What I Can Share With Hosts
Music, Joy, passion for life and people!
