November, 2026 | Steel Trappings

Steel Guitar to Schools Initiative

November 7, 2026 • Addison Ching • News

A Music Education & Community Outreach Program has been launched by HIMELE.

The Steel Guitar to Schools initiative (Steel the Show) that brings the steel guitar to schools will launch with the 2026 Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani. Two local area schools will participate in the program's inaugaration.

The program features a team of adult and youth steel guitar players visiting a school and giving a presentation about the Hawaiian steel guitar, its history and purpose, and its importance in Hawaiian music and culture. The presentation includes musical presentations featuring the steel guitar, featuring adult and youth steel guitarists. The presentation also includes demonstrations and "hands on" opportunities for program participants to become further acquainted with the instrument and trying it out under the supervision and guidance of a professional steel guitarist.

The program will launch with three presentations at Kahakai Elementary School and Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School.

Festival school visits were previously and informally designated as simply "School Visitations" but have now been given an official designation and purpose.

HIMELE hopes to expand the program to other islands to coincide with festivals on Kaua‘i and Maui.

HIMELE

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HIMELE Events

`2026 Festivals and Workshops`

Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 19-22, 2026 – Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island

`2027 Festivals and Workshops`

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i
January 30, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST
Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center, Kapolei

Hilo Steel Guitar Festival
March 13, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 3:15 PM HST
Prince Kuhio Plaza, Hilo, Hawai‘i

NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
April 3, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST
Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center, Kapolei

Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival
May 2, 2027 - 10:30 AM - 2:45 PM HST
Kukui Grove Center, Lihue, Hawai‘i

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall
June 12, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST
Windward Mall, Kane‘ohe

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week - July 4-10, 2027
July 5, 6, 8, 2027 – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST (Nightly Concerts)
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

2^nd Annual Ho‘okūkū Kīkā Kila - Hawaiian Steel Guitar Contest
July 7, 2027 – 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents J-FESTA 2027 - Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
July 9, 2027 – 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 10, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 1:50 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall
August 14, 2027 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST
Windward Mall, Kane‘ohe

Maui Steel Guitar Festival
October 16, 2027 - 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
The Shops At Wailea, Wailea, Hawai‘i

Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 11-14, 2027 – Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island (tentative)

Other Events

`2026 Events`

Steel Guitar Fridays
Every Friday – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

`2027 Events`

AISGC Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival #
July 22-24, 2027
Winchester Towne Square Community Centre, Winchester, Indiana

Austin Steeel Guitar Fest #
September 30-October 2, 2027
Austin Marriott South, Austin, Texas

* Tentative
# Registration Fee Required

About HIMELE
HIMELE is a Hawai‘i 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that supports music enrichment and education for people of all ages. Our purpose is to educate, promote, and perpetuate Hawaiian music, Hawaiian culture and Hawaiian musical instruments.

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Learning Resources
Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Symposium

Ho‘okūkū Kīkā Kila

Statewide Festivals
Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival
Maui Steel Guitar Festival
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival
Kona Steel Guitar Festival
Hilo Steel Guitar Festival
J-FESTA | Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week

Community Festivals
Ka Makana Ali‘i – Kapolei
Windward Mall – Kāne‘ohe
NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festivals

Livestream
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase