HSGA Announces 2017 Conventionn

June 5, 2017 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions

The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association (HSGA) will hold their annual convention on Sept. 21-23, 2017. The 3-day event will be held in Fort Collins, Colorado, home of Colorado State University and gateway to the northern Rocky Mountains. This 31st annual gathering will showcase steel guitar musicianship, workshops, and jam sessions, all featuring the Hawaiian Steel guitar.

This year's featured guest will be Alan Akaka. Akaka is from a family whose roots are deep in Hawaiian music. His father Senator Daniel K. Akaka, former director of the famous Kawaiaha'o Church Choir, played an important role in Akaka's music beginnings and encouraged him through his development. Alan established and directed the Kamehameha Middle School Na 'Opio Singers and Hawaiian Ensemble. He was the director of the Performing Arts Academy at Kamehameha for 16 years. In 2009, he established Ke Kula Mele School of Hawaiian music.

In 2015, Akaka established Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences (HIMELE) that supports music education and enrichment for people of all ages. Its purpose is to educate, promote and perpetuate Hawaiian music, Hawaiian culture and Hawaiian musical instruments by organizing and sponsoring events such as annual Hawaiian steel guitar festivals on Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i.

The HSGA festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23 and will feature stage performances, seminars and workshops and will culminate in an evening luau and show.

The festival is open to the public. Festival admission fees include all performances, seminars and workshops. There is a separate fee for the Saturday luau and show.

For festival details, performance sign up procedures, and additional information, see the HSGA website.

Photo credit: Don Touchi