2018 Festival Program

Click here to see the Festival's Event Schedule

The program has been revised as of August 22, 2018. Iaukea Bright is recuperating from health issues and will not be able to join the festival this year. Alan and Kaniela Akaka will be this year's emcees, and Saturday's evening program will close with an All-star steel guitar jam session featuring Alan, Bobby, Geri, Greg, and Pomai.

Friday and Saturday Festival Ho'olaule'a Pageants - Ballroom

Friday's ho'olaule'a will begin at 4:00 P.M. and will feature keiki Next Generation steel guitarists and five other steel guitar masters in separate programs for your enjoyment. Friday emcee will Iaukea Bright. Saturday's ho'olaule'a will begin at 4:00 P.M. and feature six different steel guitar masters. Iaukea Bright will also host Saturday's program.

The following is a tentative program schedule and is subject to change.

Friday
4:00 PM	Emcees Alan Akaka and Kaniela Akaka
4:30 PM	Dave "DK" Kolars
5:10 PM	Next Generation Steel Guitarists
5:50 PM	Konabob Stoffer and the Hana Aloha Trio
6:30 PM	Masami Sato
7:10 PM	Alan Akaka and The Islanders
7:50 PM	Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz

Saturday
4:00 PM	Emcees Alan Akaka and Kaniela Akaka
4:30 PM	Alexis Tolentino
5:10 PM	Greg Sardinha
5:50 PM	Makana
6:30 PM	Pomai Brown
7:10 PM	The Bobby Ingano Trio
7:50 PM	All-star Jam Session featuring Alan, Bobby, Geri, Greg, and Pomai

Featured Steel Guitarists

• Alan Akaka
• Pomai Brown
• Bobby Ingano
• Dave "DK" Kolars
• Makana
• Greg Sardinha
• Masami Sato
• Konabob Stoffer
• Alexis Tolentino
• Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz

Next Generation Steel Guitarists and Musicians

Four "Next Generation" Steel Guitar students of Ke Kula Mele Hawaii School of Hawaiian Music will perform for festival attendees' enjoyment. These musicians age 10, 13, and 14, will be accompanied by members of the Ke Kula Mele Ensemble.

• Pono Fernandez
• Malie Lyman
• Joey Misailidis
  
• Tai Misailidis

Workshops - Hamakua Room

Steel guitar workshops will be conducted on Saturday morning beginning at 9 A.M.

9:00 AM	Alan Akaka - "How To Make Your Music Flow"
10:15 AM	Greg Sardinha - "Steelin' Tips and Tricks"
11:30 AM	Bobby Ingano - "Chiming and Playing with a Sweet Touch"
12:45 PM	Pomai Brown - "Wish You Could Retune In A Flash? Meet the Excel Lock Lever Model"

Open Stage Entertainment - Ballroom

Saturday Open stage sessions are scheduled to begin at 10:30 A.M. and will feature guest artists and performers. These 30-minute playing sessions will showcase steel guitarists and Hawaiian music groups from all over the world. If you are interested in performing on the open stage, please fill out the contact form to sign up.

• 10:30 AM - Hideki Hattori
• 11:00 AM - Shuji and Noriko Tomita
• 11:30 AM - Daniel Toft
• 12:00 PM - Kekahuaonaleo
• 1:00 PM - Kris Oka
• 1:30 PM - Larry and Shirley Holu
• 2:00 PM - Ke Kula Mele Next Gen Steel Guitarists and Musicians

Sunday Brunch Entertainment

Guests of the Mauna Lani's Sunday brunch at the Bay Terrace Restaurant will enjoy music from a kanikapila-stype jam session by participating steel guitar masters and other musicians.

Steel Guitar Exhibit

An exhibit featuring vintage and contemporary lap steel guitars will be presented at the festival in the main ballroom. The instruments are from the instrument collections of Hawai'i-based steel guitarists appearing at the festival. Come and see this wide assortment of steel guitars. Festival guests will also be offered hands-on opportunities to experience the steel guitar under the guidance of a steel guitar expert.

The Proclamation

Hawai'i County mayor Harry Kim issued a proclamation declaring September 7-9, 2018, as Hawai'i Island Steel Guitar Appreciation Days. See the proclamation here.

The Festival Poster