2025 Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival Lineup Announced

March 14, 2025 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions

The lineup for the 2025 Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival will include six of Hawai‘i's most popular steel guitarists.

The festival will be held at the Kukui Grove Center on May 4, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Leading the list of steel guitarists are veteran festival performers Alan Akaka, Bobby Ingano, and Malie Lyman and Kaua‘i steel guitarists Jess Montgomery and Kilipaki Vaughan.

Ken Emerson, who recently performed at the 2025 Kona Steel Guitar Festival, is also included in the lineup. Ken is a San Francisco-born, Hawai‘i-bred musician who splits his time between Kaua‘i and the mainland.

Ken Emerson and Mālie Lyman at the 2025 Kona Steel Guitar Festival

Kaua‘i steel guitarist Ed Punua may join the lineup if his work schedule permits since he is heavily involved with the 2025 tax season.

NextGen steel guitarists Isaac Woodward and Makamae Lyu-Napoleon will also perform. Additional NextGen steel guitarists will be announced when they are confirmed.

The 2025 festival is again an abbreviated one-day event that includes both a steel guitar concert and hands-on opportunities for guests interested in learning more about the steel guitar. The festival may return to its original comprehensive format in future festivals if budget permits. A comprehensive festival includes school visitations, workshops, steel guitar exhibits, open stage performances, and public kanikapila, in addition to the steel guitar concert and hands-on opportunities.

The Kukui Grove Center offers a convenient and comfortable indoor setting for the festival, with food and refreshments available nearby.

Emcee for the event will be Monte McComber.