Festival Information

The Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival is presented by the Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences (HIMELE) and the Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i School of Hawaiian Music. The festival brings together legendary steel guitarists for a celebration of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar. This free, 3-day festival includes a series of performances, presentations, instructional workshops, jam sessions and public and private school visitations that are focused on the Hawaiian Steel Guitar and its importance in the Hawaiian music genre.

The Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival at the Mauna Lani Auberge Resorts Collection is one of a series of annual Hawaiian Steel Guitar festivals and other events produced by the Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences (HIMELE) and its partners.

• The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festivals are community-based festivals produced by HIMELE on O‘ahu.
  • The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i at Ka Makana Ali‘i Shopping Center in February-March
  • The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall at Windward Mall Shopping Center in June
  • The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival Keiki Kine at Kahala Mall at Kahala Mall Shopping Center in August
• The Kona Steel Guitar Festival at Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa, Keauhou, Hawai‘i, preceding the Aloha Music Camp in April
• The Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival at Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort and Kukui Grove Center in May
• The Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center in July
• The Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week (incorporating the Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival and the Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival) at Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center in July
• The Maui Steel Guitar Festival at The Shops at Wailea and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center on Maui in October.
• The Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani (incorporating the Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival) at Mauna Lani Auberge Resorts Collection on Hawai‘i Island in November-December
• The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase - monthly livestreamed Hawaiian steel guitar presentations (including livestreamed festival ho‘olaule‘a concerts) on the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Facebook Page and YouTube Channel

All festivals are presented to increase awareness and foster interest in the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, an instrument important to Hawaiian music and culture. All these festivals are free and open to the public and made possible through grant awards and donations from Hawai‘i State agencies, corporate sponsors and private individuals, supplemented by in-kind contributions and volunteer resources. Please visit HIMELE's website to see how you can help support our festivals.

The 2024 Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience

The Experience will begin on Thursday, November 21, and run through Sunday, November 24. The Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival's ho‘olaule‘a concert will be held on Friday, November 22, followed by a public kanikapila. The hotel's monthly Twilight at Kalāhuipua‘a cltural program featuring the Hawaiian steel guitar will be on Saturday, November 23, and include performances by festival artists and NextGen steel guitarists. A Sunday brunch entertainment and kanikapila will be offered on the lawn of the HāLani Restaurant.

In addition to the main concert and the resort's Twilight at Kalāhuipua‘a cultural program, the 2024 experience will also include school visits, workshops, Open Stage performances, a vintage steel guitar exhibit, public kanikapila, and hands-on opportunities for festival guests.

Both Friday's main concert and Saturday's Open Stage Performance will be livestreamed on the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

Please see the Contact Form if you wish to sign up for an Open Stage Performance slot and/or a School Visitation for your classroom.

Festival Information From Previous Festivals

• The 2023 Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience - Festival Info
• The 2022 Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience - Festival Info
• The 2020 Festival - Festival Info – Festival canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic
• The 2019 Special Edition Festival - Festival Info
• The 2018 Festival - Festival Info
• The 2017 Festival - Festival Info