Annual Activity Recap - 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, HIMELE would like to thank you for your support and participation in our many live and virtual events this past year. This past year has been very busy for HIMELE and we look forward to a successful 2025. We would like to take a moment to recap 2024 activity and 2025 plans.

HIMELE produced 16 events in 2024. All festivals were presented to increase awareness and foster interest in the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, an instrument important to Hawaiian music and culture. All festivals were 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.

Live Events

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Statewide Festivals
Kona Steel Guitar Festival (Hawai‘i Island), Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival (O‘ahu), Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival (O‘ahu), Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani (Hawai‘i Island), Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival (Kaua‘i), Maui Steel Guitar Festival (Maui)

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Community Festivals
Ka Makana Ali‘l - Kapolei (O‘ahu), Windward Mall - Kane‘ohe (O‘ahu), Kahala Mall - Wai‘alae-Kāhala (O‘ahu)

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Workshops
Norcal Syposium (Cupertino, CA)

Virtual Events

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase (Livestreasm)
Kona Steel Guitar Festival (concert only), Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival, Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival, Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival "Keiki Kine" Kahala Mall, Hawaiian Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani (concert and Open Stage)

All livestream showcases are archived on the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase Facebook page and YouTube Channel.) See the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase website for additional information.

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Organizations

Aloha International Steel Guitar Club (AISGC)

AISGC celebrated the 50th anniversary of its founding by Charles Moore, which is held annually in Winchester, IN. The guest artist was Grammy and Nā Hōkū Hanohano awardee Bobby Ingano. Alan Akaka attended this three-day celebration to represent HIMELE, perform, and offer a workshop.

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association (HSGA)

Members traveled to Emeryville, CA, from all parts of the U.S. for the three-day convention dedicated to Alvin "Barney" Isaacs in celebration of his 100^th birthday. All members were invited to perform a song Barney was known for or one that his father, Alvin Isaacs, Sr., composed. HIMELE Chairman Alan Akaka was the guest artist and clinician.

Scholarships

Scholarships for lessons from the Waikiki Walk of Fame, a private donor, and a partnership with HSGA and HIMELE were awarded to members of NextGen. Mahalo for the support of these organizations and their mission to promote, educate, and perpetuate the steel guitar. Mahalo also to everyone who supports these organizations through monetary contributions.

School Visits

As part in the Kona Steel Guitar Festival and Hawaiian Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani, local schools were visited and guitars donated to increase awareness and foster interest in the Hawaiian Steel Guitar with keiki. Schools visited included Kealakehe Elementary and Intermediate Schools, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, Holualoa Elementary School, Konawaena High School. Additional schools visited included Hālau Kū Mana charter school located on O‘ahu and the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA

Steel Trappings

36 articles were published in Steel Trappings, an online Resource Center for Hawaiian Steel Guitar Enthusiasts produced by HIMELE as a service to the steel guitar community. Contributed articles are authored by respected steel guitarists, musicians, authors, educators, and others who have a desire to share their information and knowledge with anyone interested in Hawaiian music, culture, and the Hawaiian steel guitar.

2025 Plans

Planning is still underway for 2025 but expect to see similar activities as 2024. Please visit HIMELE's website or Steel Trappings for the latest events updates. Event information updates are published on Steel Trappings when they occur.

HIMELE will also notify those on our email list of upcoming events about a month prior to the event.

Live Events

February - Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i

March - Kona Steel Guitar Festival

May - Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival

June - Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall

July - Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week incorporating the Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival and the Waikīiī Steel Guitar Festival

August - Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival "Keiki Kine" at Kahala Mall

October - Maui Steel Guitar Festival

November - Hawai ‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience at Mauna Lani

Other Events

September - Hawaiian Steel Guitar Symposium (Northern California)

In summary, we thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at one of our events in 2025.