Steel Trappings

Instruments and Luthiers

Steel Guitar Workshop
Workshop Luthiers Construct Steel Guitars
November 15, 2017 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions, Instruments and Luthiers

A handful of enthisiastic students spent two days constructing their own steel guitars under the direction of luthier Bob [...]

Geri's Vintage Steels
1954 National New Yorker
December 10, 2017 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

The National String Instrument Corp. was known for its eye-catching acoustic resonator [...]

Geri's Vintage Steels
1951 Gibson Ultratone
January 9, 2018 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

Ultratones are among the most colorful lap steels made by the Gibson Company. Finishes [...]

Geri's Vintage Steels
1935 Rickenbacher Model A-25
February 8, 2018 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

The Frying Pan lap steel guitar was manufactured by the Rickenbacher Electro Company [...]

Geri's Vintage Steels
1945 Electromuse
March 6, 2018 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

Electromuse was a Chicago based builder of student grade lap steel guitars. They also built [...]

Geri's Vintage Steels
1950's Guyatone D8
April 3, 2018 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

Guyatone began production in 1933 and is one of the earliest guitar manufacturers in [...]

Geri's Vintage Steels
1960's Commodore / Jedson
May 1, 2018 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

The Commodore lap steel guitar was made in the 1960's in Japan by the Sakai Mokko Company. [...]

Geri's Vintage Steels
1954 Bronson Melody King Model 52
June 5, 2018 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

George Bronson was a lap steel guitar teacher living in Detroit, Michigan. He had a line of [...]

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HIMELE Events
2025 Festivals and Workshops
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 13-16, 2025
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, Waimea, Hawai‘i Island

2025 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Livestream Broadcasts

Facebook LiveYouTube
All broadcasts originate from the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.


Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani
November 14, 2025 – 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM HST - Ho‘olaule‘a concert
November 15, 2025 – 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM HST- Open Stage Performances

2026 Festivals and Workshops

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week - July 5-11, 2026
July 6-9, 2026 – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST (Nightly Concerts)
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
July 10, 2026 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

2025 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Livestream Broadcasts

Facebook LiveYouTube
All broadcasts originate from the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.


Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival (J-FESTA)
July 10, 2026 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST

Other Events
2025 Events
Steel Guitar Fridays
Every Friday – 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Steel Guitar Sundays
July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2, December 7, 2025 – 10:00 AM - Noon
Hula Grill Waikiki, Waikīkī

* Registration Fee Required

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About HIMELE
HIMELE is a Hawai‘i 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.