2019 June | Steel Trappings

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Mini-Expo

June 2, 2019 • Addison Ching • Education and Training

The first Hawaiian Steel Guitar Mini-Expo was held on Saturday, June 1, 2019, at Kane‘ohe's Windward Mall. Sponsored by Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i School of Hawaiian Music and HIMELE, the mini-expo provided opportunities for the community to become more familiar with the Hawaiian steel guitar and try out the instrument. The free event was open to everyone and designed to introduce the instrument to youth guests ages 10 and older.

PC-Alan Akaka

Alan Akaka and Larry Holu were on hand to answer questions and provide hands-on training to event guests. Steel guitars and amps for the demonstration were provided by steel guitarist Bill Thompson.

The event was the first of a series of Mini-Expos that will be conducted to promote the Hawaiian steel guitar. Future events will be posted on the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Symposium website.

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HIMELE Events

`2026 Festivals and Workshops`

Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 19-22, 2026 – Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island

`2027 Festivals and Workshops`

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i
January 30, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST
Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center, Kapolei

Hilo Steel Guitar Festival
March 13, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 3:15 PM HST
Prince Kuhio Plaza, Hilo, Hawai‘i

NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
April 3, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST
Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center, Kapolei

Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival
May 2, 2027 - 10:30 AM - 2:45 PM HST
Kukui Grove Center, Lihue, Hawai‘i

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall
June 12, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST
Windward Mall, Kane‘ohe

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week - July 4-10, 2027
July 5, 6, 8, 2027 – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST (Nightly Concerts)
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

2^nd Annual Ho‘okūkū Kīkā Kila - Hawaiian Steel Guitar Contest
July 7, 2027 – 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents J-FESTA 2027 - Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
July 9, 2027 – 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 10, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 1:50 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall
August 14, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST
Windward Mall, Kane‘ohe

Maui Steel Guitar Festival
October 16, 2027 - 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
The Shops At Wailea, Wailea, Hawai‘i

Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 11-14, 2027 – Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island (tentative)

Other Events

`2026 Events`

Steel Guitar Fridays
Every Friday – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

`2027 Events`

AISGC Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival #
July 22-24, 2027
Winchester Towne Square Community Centre, Winchester, Indiana

Austin Steeel Guitar Fest #
September 30-October 2, 2027
Austin Marriott South, Austin, Texas

* Tentative
# Registration Fee Required

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.

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Learning Resources
Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Symposium

Ho‘okūkū Kīkā Kila

Statewide Festivals
Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival
Maui Steel Guitar Festival
Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival
J-FESTA | Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
Kona Steel Guitar Festival

Community Festivals
Ka Makana Ali‘i – Kapolei
Windward Mall – Kāne‘ohe
NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festivals

Livestream
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase