NextGen Expands Its Steel Guitar Ranks

March 28, 2019 • Addison Ching • Entertainment

NextGen steel guitarists are on the rise! These new keiki steel guitarists have shown that they have the stuff it takes to carry on the NextGen tradition.

NextGen steel guitarists are youth musicians who have developed their playing ability and confidence as steel guitarists and are willing to take their playing to the next level. NextGen often perform at HIMELE produced steel guitar festivals and other performance events throughout the State of Hawai‘i. Participation is determined by their readiness and availability since many of these budding young players are involved with many other activities.

10-year old Enosa Lyman joins his older sister NextGen steel guitarist Mālie Lyman. Look for the Lymans to present steel guitar duets in the future. Enosa and Mālie are the great-grandchildren of legendary Hawaiian singer Genoa Keawe and children of Hawaiian vocal artist Pōmaika‘i Lyman. Enosa made his NextGen debut at February's Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i.

11-year old Hō‘ailona Mahuka made her NextGen performance debut last December at the Royal Hawaiian Center's Mele Pakolu musical program. She is inspired by her great uncle Barney Isaacs whose style of playing the Steel Guitar has captured her heart. Hō‘ailona has had about a year of lessons on the steel guitar. She also plays the ‘ukulele and loves to sing all genres of music. Dancing, basketball, volleyball, flag football, jiu jitsu, and boxing are just a few of her favorite after school sports.

15-year old Ethan Goore is the newest member of the NextGen team. Residing on Hawai‘i Island, Ethan takes steel guitar lessons from Kumu Alan Akaka via Skype and made his NextGen debut at the 2019 Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival. Ethan plays many instruments including ‘ukulele, trumpet, and drums and has been making music since he was just two years old. He has rapidly advanced on the steel guitar, with only five months of lessons.

The next NextGen performance will be at the 2019 Maui Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival on April 12-14, 2019, followed by performances at the Windward Mall on June 8 (Ke Kula Mele Spring Concert and the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall) and at the Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week in July. A NextGen-only festival will be held at the Kahala Mall in August.