Don Touchi Retires from HIMELE Board
March 21, 2020 • Addison Ching • News
Don Touchi is retiring from the HIMELE Board of Directors after almost four years of dedicated service.
Don was elected to the Board in July of 2016 and has served both as a Director and as HIMELE's official event photographer. In addition to serving on HIMELE's board, Don also helped to document Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i concerts.
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Festival guests may have missed Don at the recent Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival. Don was unable to make the festival due to medical issues relating to arthritis and feels that his photographic contributions may be compromised due to the ongoing condition.
"There's a time in one's life when they must realize that they can no longer perform at the level that is required to advance the cause," says Don.
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival
Maui Steel Guitar Festival
He continues, "The past four years have been an experience I will always treasure. It brought me back to my roots in the Hawaiian culture that I was born and raised." Don is also an accomplished singer and keyboardist and volunteers his music at nursing homes in Honolulu. In addition, Don plays an assortment of instruments including the bassoon, saxophone, and guitar, and recently added the bass guitar to his interests.
"He offered perspectives and insights on important decisions the Board was tasked to undertake," says HIMELE Chairman Alan Akaka. "But, he was also able to keep the meeting from getting too solemn with his light-hearted humor."
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Alan continues, "As a highly skilled photographer he captured memorable scenes from our many events, posting them on social media to help promote the Hawaiian steel guitar and provide documentation on what HIMELE does." Alan goes on to say this of Don: "You will always be a part of the HIMELE ‘ohana."
You can hear Alan's complete message to Don here.
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2026 Festivals and Workshops
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘iFebruary 28, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST (Rescheduled)
Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center, Kapolei
Hilo Steel Guitar Festival
March 7, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 3:15 PM HST
Prince Kuhio Plaza, Hilo, Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Keiki Kine
April 4, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST
Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center, Kapolei
Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival
May 10, 2026 - 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST
Kukui Grove Center, Lihue, Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall
June 13, 2026 – 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST *
Windward Mall, Kane‘ohe
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week - July 5-11, 2026
July 6-9, 2026 – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST (Nightly Concerts)
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents J-FESTA - Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
July 10, 2026 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2026 – 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 15, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST *
Kahala Mall, Honolulu, Hawai‘i
Maui Steel Guitar Festival
October 17, 2026 - 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
The Shops At Wailea, Wailea, Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 19-22, 2026 – Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island
2026 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Livestream Broadcasts
All broadcasts originate from the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i
February 28, 2026 – 11:00 PM - 3:00 PM HST (Rescheduled)
Hilo Steel Guitar Festival
March 7, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 3:15 PM HST
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Keiki Kine at Ka Makana Ali‘i
April 4, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall
June 13, 2026 – 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST *
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival (J-FESTA)
July 10, 2026 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Keiki Kine at Kahala Mall
August 15, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST *
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 20, 2026 - Ho‘olaule‘a concert – 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM HST
November 21, 2026 - Open Stage Performances – 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM HST
Other Events
2026 Events
Steel Guitar FridaysEvery Friday – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī
Steel Guitar Sundays
January 5, February 2, March 2, April 6, May 4, and June 1, 2026 – 10:00 AM - Noon
Hula Grill Waikiki, Waikīkī
AISGC Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival #
July 23-25, 2026
WInchester Towne Square Community Centre, Winchester, Indiana
* Tentative
# Registration Fee Required
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Keiki Kine at Ka Makana Ali‘i
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