Instruments and Luthiers

1956 Rickenbacker DW-16

January 1, 2021 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

In the 1950's Rickenbacker began producing wood bodied double neck steel guitars to compete [...]

1930's Lectro Lab "Troubadour" Style

February 1, 2021 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

In 1932 Rickenbacker's "Frying Pan" lap steel was introduced as the first electric guitar. [...]

1939 Rickenbacher Model 59 in Crinkled Black

March 4, 2021 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

For the beginning student Rickenbacher introduced the Model 59, stamped from sheet metal. [...]

Early 1930's Rickenbacher Amplifier

April 1, 2021 • Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz • Instruments and Luthiers

From the very beginning, Rickenbacher developed and sold guitar amplifiers. After all, the first [...]

The Great Jerry Byrd Fry Pan Mystery

February 20, 2022 • Addison Ching • Instruments and Luthiers

From time to time Steel Trappings receives comments and inquiries from its readership. [...]

Pedal Like A Lion

July 18, 2022 • Addison Ching • Instruments and Luthiers

FRANKENSTEEL? Guests of the 2022 Waikiki Steel Guitar Festial may have noticed Kiyoshi [...]

The ‘Oi No Ka ‘Oi Steel Guitars

November 10, 2022 • Kevin Gillies • Instruments and Luthiers

The ‘Oi No Ka ‘Oi Hawaiian Steel Guitar is the result of a conversation with Alan Akaka and a [...]

The ‘Oi No Ka ‘Oi Steel Guitars - Part II

November 25, 2022 • Kevin Gillies • Instruments and Luthiers

In order to address sound quality, we have to start with a basic agreement on how we hear [...]

Authors

Author Index

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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Mission Statement
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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