Steel Trappings

Feature

Haumana: A Student's Journey Through Hawaiian Music and Steel Guitar
Tunings
September 20, 2017 • Steve Tylka • Education and Training

After reading my last few articles I'm sure you're wondering, "Why do you need to understand [...]

Tone Bars: Stainless or Polymer?
Tone Bars: Stainless or Polymer?
February 22, 2018 • Addison Ching • Education and Training

Many aspiring lap steel guitarists start off with a metallic standard stainless steel or chromed [...]

Haumana: A Student's Journey Through Hawaiian Music and Steel Guitar
Recording Your Music: Home Recording Basics
March 19, 2018 • Steve Tylka • Education and Training

It was recently brought to my attention that many Steel Guitar players have questions regarding [...]

TGIF Cover
Teenager Malie Lyman brings family traditions to Steel Guitar Festival
March 22, 2018 • John Berger • Festivals and Conventions

If Malie Lyman were a "mystery guest" on the classic television game show "What's My Line?" [...]

Mauitime heading
Kika Kila: How Geri Valdriz helps keep the fire burning for steel guitars
April 4, 2018 • Lantana Hoke • News

Growing up on Oahu in the 1960s and '70s, Geri Valdriz and his friends listened to the [...]

Maui News
Sliding into the Soul of Aloha
April 8, 2018 • Mona De Crinis • News

"I was once told that the steel guitar is the truest extension of the human voice," says Alan [...]

Tone Bars: Stainless or Polymer?
Tone Bars: Stainless or Polymer? Part II
May 2, 2018 • Addison Ching • Education and Training

Some players claim that stainless steel bars have a better sustain than polymer bars. "A myth," [...]

Steel Guitar Festivals: A Photographer's Viewpoint
Steel Guitar Festivals: A Photographer's Viewpoint
October 21, 2018 • Don Touchi • Festivals and Conventions

I was asked by Addison Ching if I could photograph the steel guitar festivals that 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

2nd 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

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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.