Festival News

April 2, 2024 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions

Here is the latest news about HIMELE's steel guitar festivals and events.

Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival

The performer lineup for this year's abbreviated festival at Kukui Grove Center on May 5 in Lihue include Alan Akaka, Bobby Ingano, Jess Montgomery, Malie Lyman, Ed Punua, and Greg Sardinha. NextGen Hi'ipoi Lindsey, Enosa Lyman, Makamae Lyu-Napoleon and Isabella Bertelmann will also perform. Emcee will be Monte McComber

Plans for next year's festival include a complete festival at a new venue in addition to an abbreviated festival at the Kukui Grove Center. The complete festival will include school visitations, an open stage, a vintage steel guitar exhibit, hands-on steel guitar opportunities, a comprehensive ho‘olaulea concert, and nightly public kanikapila.

Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani

This year's Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani will be held on November 4-7, 2024 at the Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection and include the resort's monthly Twilight at Kalāhuipua‘a cultural program that will feature the Hawaiian steel guitar. The full festival will again include school visitations, Open Stage, workshops, a vintage steel guitar exhibit, performances at the resort's HaLani restaurant and other venues, a full concert, and public kanikapila jam sessions. Hands-on steel guitar experiences will also be offered.

The main concert on Friday will be livestreamed.

Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival

This year's Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival on July 12 is taking shape. So far six steel guitarists and/or steel guitar groups have signed on, including Kiyoshi "Lion" Kobayashi.

The Japan-Hawaiian steel guitar festival will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024 as a part of the annual Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week. The event will be livestreamed.