A Good Time at Keiki Kine

August 23, 2019 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions

Honolulu's Kahala Mall was the setting for the first annual Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Keiki Kine. Unlike other steel guitar festivals produced by HIMELE, this festival featured keiki NextGen steel guitarists in two hours of fun and entertainment. A standing-room only audience watched the musicians, ages 10 through 16, as they sang and played traditional and contemporary Hawaiian songs at the mall's Center Court.

The Saturday afternoon program was divided into three musical segments. The first segment featured NextGen steel guitarist Joey Misailidis with a performance that included her own backup musicians and dancers. Her musicians were NextGen musician and sister Tai Misailidis on U-bass, classmate DJ on ‘ukulele, and swim team colleague Sanoe on vocals alternating with Joey. Also included in the well-organized production were hula dancers Gabby, Solomon, Lily, La'i, Lauren, and DJ's mom Leilehua. One of Joey's selections was "Waiomina" that featured a Paniola-type dance.

The second segment featured NextGen steel guitarists Hō‘ailona Mahuka, Enosa Lyman, and Mālie Lyman in separate performances. Guest artists accompanying the steel guitarists included Halehaku Seabury, Bryan Tolentino, and Alan Akaka. The group included NextGen musicians Iosepa Lyman on bass and Ikaika Orlando on ‘ukulele. Guest vocalist Pomaika‘i Lyman joined the group for ‘Alika.

The third festival segment featured NextGen steel guitarists Pono Fernandez and Ethan Goore in separate programs, accompanied by Alan Akaka on guitar, Ethan's dad Natan Goore on electric bass, and Addison Ching on guitar.

The festival was sponsored in part by Breezy Ridge Instruments and John Pearse Strings who provided steel guitar strings and supplies to the NextGen musicians and produced by HIMELE in collaboration with the Kahala Mall. The 2nd annual Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival — Keiki Kine will be held on August 15, 2020 at the Kahala Mall.