Alan Akaka - Chairman of the Board

Alan Akaka is a legendary Hawaiian steel guitarist, educator, and cultural ambassador, deeply rooted in a distinguished family tradition of music. Guided by his father, former U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka–former director of the renowned Kawaiaha'o Church Choir–Alan developed his exceptional talent through kanikapila (jam sessions) and formal music education at Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai‘i.

As an enthusiastic educator, Alan established and directed the Kamehameha Middle School Nā ‘Ōpio Singers and Hawaiian Ensemble. He successfully led the Kamehameha Performing Arts Academy for 16 years and founded Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i School of Hawaiian Music in 2009. This institution continues to shape and inspire the next generation of steel guitarists and practitioners of traditional Hawaiian music.

Alan has collaborated with some of the most iconic artists in the industry, including Genoa Keawe, Nina Keali‘iwahamana, Benny Kalama, Sonny Kamahele, Ed Kenney, Gary Aiko, Karen Keawehawai‘i, Kuana Torres Kahale, and Raiatea Helm. He has also worked with international acts, such as Sweden's Simons, Mahina Stars, and other esteemed Japanese artists and ensembles.

His talent has brought him recognition as a finalist for his album "How D'ya Do" (featuring The Islanders in 1987) and for his acclaimed solo album, Simply Steel (2010).

For over two decades, Alan led "The Islanders" at Halekulani's iconic House Without A Key and enjoyed a prominent residency at the Waikīkī Beach Marriott Resort.

His extensive travels around the globe showcase his expertise, as he conducts workshops on Hawaiian music and the steel guitar. Notable achievements include being honored as a guest soloist at the International Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis, the Aloha International Steel Guitar Club in Winchester, Indiana, and the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association in Illinois and California, as well as the Austin Steel Guitar Festival in Texas. He has also received accolades at the India International Guitar Festival in Kolkata.

In recognition of his significant contributions to Hawaiian music and culture, Alan was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 2012 and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts in 2025. His legacy as a key figure in Hawaiian music is firmly established and continues to inspire others.

Addison Ching - Vice Chairman

Born and raised in Honolulu, Addison studied electrical engineering in college but made a career in Information Technology and also taught college computer programming courses. Addison has held various IT positions in public and private education at all levels, and retired several years ago from the California State University Chancellor's Office as their Director of Network Support Services. He and his wife Sharon now split their retirement between homes in California and Hawai'i. He has trained in various music disciplines but never had the opportunity to pursue the Hawaiian steel guitar until recently. "Learning the steel guitar is very fulfilling to me, allowing me to 'give back' to my Hawaiian heritage and honor those Hawaiian legends who recorded for the 49^th State Records label that was founded by his uncle, George Ching." He is also involved with computers and computer technology, developing and hosting websites and maintaining social media sites. "I appreciate the opportunity to serve on HIMELE's board because it allows me to help perpetuate and promote Hawaiian music and music-related activities."

Geronimo Valdriz - Secretary-Treasurer

A retired member of the Maui Judiciary, Geri Valdriz is the steel guitarist for the Maui slack key bands "Ola Hou", "Maui Jam", and "The Waiehu Sons". He presently tours in Japan and on the Mainland, playing at steel guitar concerts and hula shows.

He is also a steel guitar instructor at Keola Beamer's Aloha Music Camp and guest steel guitarist at George Kahumoku's slack key shows. Geri has recorded four steel guitar CDs and tours on the mainland and Japan.

Nate Goore - Director

Nate lives on the Kona side of Hawai‘i island and oversees the Honolulu office of MKThink, an architectural design, strategy, and analytics firm. He works closely with the University of Hawai‘i and the Department of Education to develop lasting solutions that improve the quality of research and learning environments for our students.

Nate's musical roots are as a saxophone and bass player in jazz and rock bands. As his musical interests shifted to Hawaiian music he added ‘ukulele to his repertoire, and currently performs at private events, with the Waimea Community Chorus, and as a backup for performers at HIMELE's Steel Guitar Festivals.

"The steel guitar is the voice of Hawaiian music. I'm proud to be part of HIMELE's work to promote this wonderful instrument and expand its popularity with the younger generations."

Dr. Beth Post - Director

Dr. Beth Post is a retired lecturer who previously taught Psychology at University of California, Davis. She also has experience working in, and subsequently serving as board member at, Explorit Science Center, a hands-on science museum in Davis.

Other prior board membership includes the Sacramento Ballet, Team Aggie (sports boosters) UCDavis, the Ka'ōnohi Foundation (Sacramento Aloha Festival), and co-founder of the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society.

Dr. Post is currently a board member of the Mohala Hou Foundation.

Kaipo Lindsey - Director

Kaipo Lindsey is from Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu and has been working as a physician assistant providing primary care in Kane‘ohe since 2016.

He learned to play the ‘ukulele in his youth from many teachers including Roy Sakuma, Tracey Terada and Eddie Bush. Alan Akaka was also his mentor and teacher at Kamehameha Schools. He regularly volunteers to play in the house band for steel guitar festivals.

"I love hearing stories from performers and audience members at steel guitar festivals. Many people who attend these festivals have been lucky to learn and interact with the original composers and musicians that I am actively trying to study. I would encourage anyone who is also studying Hawaiian music to attend the festivals to hear these stories so they can continue to be shared."

Dr. David Woodward - Director

Dr. David Kekoamanawale‘a Woodward, also known simply as Kekoa, was born and raised in Ka‘alaea on the island of O‘ahu. He is married to Dara SK Chun-Woodward, and is a proud father of three children: a boy, and two girls. (Isaac Woodward, Schuyler Woodward, and Lydia Woodward)

During the day Kekoa and Dara run a Longevity center called Na‘au Pono Wellness, where they offer many services such as Esthetics, Physiotherapy, Human Potential Coaching and massage, as well as education through events and a podcast called: "Optimize Your Na‘au".

Kekoa also currently performs 5-6 days a week, where he is able to share Hawaiian music at public venues such as Kuhio Beach, Royal Hawaiian Center, as well as Halekulani Hotel: House Without A Key. He is also a recording artist with 3-time Nā Hoku Hanohano award winning group "Walea", and also plays frequently with two original members of "Māhiehie" (Helene Woodward and Sam Kaina), as well as an esteemed member of the group "Alan Akaka & The Islanders". His past musical experiences have varied with many artists and groups such as Kaweheana (‘Iokepa DeSantos and Wendall Ka‘ilihiwa), as well as Pa‘ahana (Doug Tolentino, Pakala Fernandez), Aunty Elaine Ako Spencer, and Greg Sardinha.

Kekoa also enjoys sharing, arranging, and performing with various groups of talented musicians for many different Hālau performing at Merrie Monarch, Keiki Hula, Mokihana Festivals, Hula Oni E, and ‘Ia ‘Oe E Ka Lā! Through HIMELE, as well as attending and playing with Ke Kula Mele performances with his own as well as other keiki, Kekoa has deepened his passion for perpetuating Hawaiian music as well as encouraging young artists to be a part of continuing the tradition of performing the hawaiian steel guitar as its been featured through the many stylings of traditional hawaiian music. His favorite, mainly from his own ohana that were in the renown "Hawai‘i Calls", can be heard today as he joins stage being a member of the trio "Alan Akaka & the Islanders".

Dr. Michiko Akaka - J-FESTA and Media Coordinator

Dr. Michiko Akaka serves as coordinator for J-FESTA, the Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival and provides interface between HIMELE and Japanese participants and organizers. Dr. Akaka also coordinates media activities on Social Media and other platforms, serving as videographer and content developer on Instagram and Facebook on behalf of HIMELE.

Dr. Alaka is a medical doctor from Nagoya, Japan and relocated to Hawai‘i to spend her life together with HIMELE Chairman Alan Akaka. She has a deep passion for music and has done research on the effects of music on learning, memory, and wellness. Studies show that musicians and singers are more likely to carry a positive attitude and display confidence on and off the stage.

Dr. Akaka has played the keyboard in a band in Japan, participated in Hawaiian concerts dancing the hula and studied ‘ukulele. She co-created the Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i program as a viable way to engage people in music and to make music an everyday part of their lives, their family's lives, and her own life.

Linda Mentzer - Marketing Brand Advisor

Linda Mentzer serves HIMELE as its Marketing Brand Advisor. In this capacity, she oversees HIMELE's brand and how it can be effectively used to promote its activities and functions.

Linda has been a long-time supporter of HIMELE, organizing and supporting the sales activities at HIMELE's festivals.

Daniel Tremblay - Publicity and Promotion Coordinator

Daniel "Danny K. Kila" Tremblay serves HIMELE as its Publicity and Promoition Coordinator. He is responsible for publicizing HIMELE's steel guitar festivals and other events via mail campaigns and other media.

Daniel has supported HIMELE for many years by providing mentoring at the Hands-on Experience at HIMELE's steel guitar festivals.