Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz
1935 National Cast Steel
April 17, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
The body of this early period steel guitar was made by a method called "slush casting." Molten [...]
1947 Gibson Model BR-9
May 13, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
In 1947 Gibson unveiled a keenly priced student model set. The model BR-9 steel guitar with [...]
1936 Harmony Sears Golden Jubilee
June 21, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
This model was made for only one year and was sold only through the 1936 Sears [...]
1939 Epiphone Electar Zephyr
July 17, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
In 1937, Herb Sunshine, principal designer of electric instruments at Epiphone, introduced [...]
1957 Gibson Skylark EH 500
August 7, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
The Gibson Skylark lap steel shares the same futuristic look and vibe of the famous Flying V [...]
1946 Kiesel Bakelite Lap Steel
September 20, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
Lowell C. Kiesel is a steel guitarist and builder. In 1946 he founded the L.C. Kiesel Company [...]
1940's Oahu Tonemaster
October 16, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
Along with the huge popularity of Hawaiian music came the demand for [...]
1937 Rickenbacher Silver Hawaiian
November 16, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers
This hollow metal body guitar was chromed silver and is a favorite among players and [...]
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2026 Festivals and Workshops
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna LaniNovember 19-22, 2026 – Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island
2027 Festivals and Workshops
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘iJanuary 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 FridaysEvery 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.
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Learning Resources
Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Steel Guitar Symposium
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