Steel Trappings

Hot Steel

A Visit to Maui's Kihei Charter School

April 28, 2019 • Daniel TremblayFestivals and Conventions, Education and Training

Ed. Note: This is the first in a series of periodic Hot Steel features describing Daniel Tremblay's steel guitar training activities. Residents of the East Coast, Daniel and his wife Linda spend a part of their time in Hawai‘i. During his Hawai‘i stays, Daniel spends some of his time being a Hawaiian steel guitar evangalist. You may see him on Waikīkī beach, at steel guitar festivals, and at private functions sharing his knowledge about the Hawaiian steel guitar and providing those who interact with him a personalized hands-on and intimate experience with the lap steel.

For the second year, Linda and I travelled to the Kihei Charter School to demonstrate, educate and inform the students about the history and culture of the Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar. This year we entertained the students in grades K-6.

There were 185 students which were divided into two sessions. While last year's visit was held in a temporary facility while the school's campus was being constructed, this year's visit was at the brand new school. High school Director Michael Stubbs told me they moved in last October and that the school was built to their specifications.

We found it to be very spacious and well laid out. We met on the 3rd floor that was open air with great views in all directions. Everyone was very gracious and students were very attentive and had many very intelligent and inquisitive questions about the instrument and its history.

Hands on demonstration

They asked me to play certain songs which I did to their clapping and cheers. Some of the questions were what you expect from this age group such as, "How old are you?" to "Are you smart?" being the most humorous.

We were approached by some older students that said that they remember us from last year and that it was very gratifying to us that they remembered. Michael said he looked forward to us returning next year.

Archives

June, 2025
May, 2025
April, 2025
March, 2025
February, 2025
January, 2025

Complete Issue Archive
Complete Series Archive


Categories
Education and Training
Entertainment
Equipment
Festivals and Conventions
Instruments and Luthiers
News
Steel Guitar History
Authors
Author Index
HIMELE Events
2025 Festivals and Workshops
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week - July 7-12, 2025
July 7-10, 2025 – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST (Nightly Concerts)
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2025 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 12, 2025 – 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival Keiki Kine at Kahala Mall
August 16, 2025 (tentative)
Kahala Mall, Waialae-Kāhala

Maui Steel Guitar Festival
October 18, 2025 - 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM
The Shops At Wailea, Wailea, Hawai‘i
2025 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Livestream Broadcasts

Facebook LiveYouTube
All broadcasts originate from the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.


Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2025 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival Keiki Kine at Kahala Mall
August 16, 2025 (tentative)

Other Events
2025 Events
Steel Guitar Sundays
July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2, December 7, 2025 – 10:00 AM - Noon
Hula Grill Waikiki, Waikīkī

HSGA Waikiki Festival '25
July 9, 2025 – 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
July 10, 2025 – 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM HST
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort - Diamond Head Room

AISGC Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival *
July 24-26, 2025
Town Square Community Centre, Winchester, Indiana

* Registration Fee Required

Copyright ©2019 by Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences, Inc., and Cyberventures Unlimited.Terms of Use

About HIMELE
HIMELE is a Hawai‘i non-profit corporation that supports music enrichment and education for people of all ages. Our purpose is to educate, promote, and perpetuate Hawaiian music, Hawaiian culture and Hawaiian musical instruments.