Festival News

June 26, 2024 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions

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

Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival

This year's Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival on July 12 will now feature seven steel guitarists and/or steel guitar groups from Japan. Previously-scheduled artists Moto Suzuki and Miki Reina will not be able to participate due to unforseen circumstances.

Friday's festival will feature hula by Kapuanani.

Complete updated festival information is available at the festival website. The event will be livestreamed.

Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week

Thursday's NextGen steel guitarists will now include Isaac Woodward, Hi‘ipoi Lindsey, Enosa Lyman, Tai Misailidis, and Isabella Bertelmann. All are students of Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i School of Hawaiian Music.

The 3^rd annual Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024 and feature seven steel guitarists and/or steel guitar groups from Japan. Previously-scheduled artists Moto Suzuki and Miki Reina are able to participate due to unforeseen circumstances.

The festival program will begin at 2:30 P.M. HST and run through 6:30 P.M. The performances will be livestreamed.

Due to a communications mixup Masami Sato & Makana will not be able to participate in Saturday's program. Also, Devin Nakahara is unable to participate due to a last-minute business travel requirement.

Replacing Masami Sato & Makana and Devin Nakahara will be Roberto Alaniz and Joseph Zayac.

Artist biographies and a revised event schedule and are available at the festival website.

Saturday's festival will feature hula by Kapuanani.

The festival will be livestreamed.