Livestream Steel Guitar Showcases Resume

September 27, 2020 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions

The September Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase was broadcast via live stream on Saturday, September 26, 2020.

The Honolulu City and County pandemic orders implemented on August 19 that prohibited social gatherings of any kind were relaxed on September 23, thereby allowing the broadcast to continue as originally scheduled. Prior to that date, the disposition of the broadcast was uncertain since it was not known what follow-up actions, if any, would be imposed by the mayor.

The two-hour Showcase presentation featured steel guitarists Kapono Lopes and Steve Cheney. Each artist was previously interviewed via Zoom by a NextGen steel guitarist, and the prerecorded interviews were aired as an introduction to the live performances by Kapono and Steve. NextGen steel guitarist Malie Lyman interviewed Kapono Lopes, and Pono Fernandez interviewed Steve Cheney.

Kapono's live performance featured preselected songs as well as requests submitted via comments to the live stream. A highlight was a surprise steel guitar duet with Alan Akaka playing "Beautiful Kahana."

Prerecorded performances by selected NextGen steel guitarists from Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i School of Hawaiian Music followed Kapono's segment. Featured performances included selections by Joey and Tai Misailidis, Pono Fernandez, Malie Lyman, and Ethan Goore.

Steve Cheney's segment also featured songs from a preselected set list as well as live stream requests. Kapono Lopes sat in with Steve, and provided vocal renditions of some selections including the requested "I Kona."

Bass guitarist Adam Asing and guitarist Kaipo Asing provided backup for both main artists. Kapono added his 'ukulele and vocals to Steve's performance.

Alan Akaka was the event's emcee.

For anyone who missed the live stream Showcase, the video is archived on the Facebook Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase page.

The next Showcase is scheduled for October 24, 2020, and will feature steel guitarists Jeff Au Hoy and Bobby Ingano. This showcase was originally scheduled for the end of August but was postponed due to social gathering restrictions.

HIMELE will continue to offer monthly Showcase live stream broadcasts as an alternative to the Hawaiian steel guitar festivals that can't be held because of the pandemic.