Cyril Pahinui, born on April 21, 1950, was an American slack-key guitarist and singer of Hawaiian music from Waimānalo, Oahu, Hawaii. He began playing ukulele at age seven and learned guitar from his father, Gabby Pahinui. In 1968, Cyril made his first record with the Sunday Manoa. His career was interrupted by service in Vietnam at age 19, where he served for two years. Upon returning, he formed the Sandwich Isle Band in 1975 and joined the Peter Moon Band in 1979. Throughout his career, Cyril contributed to over 35 Hawaiian musical releases and three Grammy Award-winning compilations. His album 6 & 12 String Slack Key (1994) won the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for Instrumental Album of the Year. In 2007, his album He'eia (2007) won the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award for Island Music Album of the Year. Pahinui received a National Heritage Fellowship in 2017. He died on November 17, 2018.
