Steel Guitar Magical Day

May 1, 2026 • Daniel Tremblay • Education and Training

Principal Ronald Oyama of the Kāpalama Elementary School had a vision to honor Joseph Kekuku the inventor, and the place where the Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar was created and Joseph was a student. Principal Oyama tasked the third grade students to research and write his story and how it impacted the world of music. With the help of John Troutman (historian) and Jennifer Morgan (illustrator) they worked for 2 years to complete the project. About the same time Ronald started this project, he invited Alan Akaka and Bobby Ingano to present to the students. He also asked Alan if he could help teach students to play the steel guitar, or find someone to teach them. Alan stated he was too busy but recommended me to consider doing so.

I was contacted by Principal Oyama about a year ago. It seems to always take time for things to happen. So I went to the school around October to present to him my hands-on demo that I do with the history and played a couple of songs. I also presented to him for the school a "Joseph Kekuku Replica Hawaiian Lap Steel guitar" which I do often when visiting at schools. He agreed that I had the skills needed to teach the students and we agreed on an afterschool program that would include 10 students.

Ms. Kayla Wig, the music teacher, went about picking the students that had an interest and thought to be the best to succeed. I went to the school and made a short presentation to 20 students explaining what the afterschool program would be like, and gave them a hands-on experience on the guitar so they could get a feel for it. The 10 students were selected, 5 from 4th grade and 5 from 5th grade. I explained to Ronald and Kayla in order for the students to succeed they would need to have guitars to bring home to practice on. So we decided on using the Replica guitars which would be portable for them to take back and forth to school. I provided the guitars as a donation to HIMELE that would then sell them to the school so that HIMELE would get the donation to further its non-profit mission.

I started the program at the beginning of December meeting once a week with breaks for school vacations, student absences for sickness and the like. They learned quickly with the help and experience of Kayla, and I could see they were dedicated to the learning experience. I taught with tablature graciously provided by Alan Akaka. The first song we started with was Silent Night because it was so close to Christmas and a song they could learn fast and play for their family over the break. When we got back after break Principal Oyama told me about the release of the book that would be on February 25^th and would my students be able to play at this event..

We informed the students about this opportunity and we selected Aloha Oe as our first song. They practiced every week and were making progress. Bobby Ingano heard about my class and asked if he could visit and play and present to them. The students loved it, however he created a problem because he played Sleepwalk, and now they all wanted to learn it! I told them if they did well at the presentation as a reward I would help them learn Sleepwalk. We also worked on another song for the presentation, Beyond the Reef. They really worked hard and I was very pleased with their progress..

There was a dress rehearsal the day before the great book release. Shall I say it was something to be a part of. The students that wrote the book all practiced what they were going to say and my students played.

The day of was magical with all the dignitaries including John Troutman, Kilin Reese, a luthier who was donating guitars he makes to the school and to John. Kilin was much involved in spreading the story of Joseph providing support for the Honolulu Youth Theater which created a play about Joseph's story which included one of Alan's students Mālie Lyman who did an amazing job. I saw the play 2 times!

Dan Tremblay with Principal Ronald Oyama and
Hawai‘i State Department of Education Deputy Superintendent of Strategy and Administration Tammi Oyadomari-Chun

Many other people were present in the library, about 100 including dignitaries, staff and students participating. The day was wonderful, all the students preformed great and speeches by John, Kilin and others were very well received.

Performance by Kāpalama School students and music teacher Kayla Wig (‘ukulele)

Alan Akaka and Jake Shimabukuro played at the opening as well and they both signed 2 Joseph Kekuku Replica Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitars that were presented to Superintendent Keith Hayashi and to John Troutman.

Alan Akaka and Jake Shimabukuro

After the presentation, knowing I was going to be a cultural practitioner that night on the Kamoauli Voyaging and Education Excursion boat at sunset, I asked John Troutman if he wanted to join me. I told him it was a great cultural experience sailing from Kewalo Basin to Diamond Head and back where I would be playing my steel and presenting. He said he was not sure he could but would let me know. He texted me and asked could he bring Kilin and I said of course. They both had a great time. They both pounded poi, John played my guitar and it was a magical night. What a day!!!

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