2013 Festival Information

The Maui Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival has been developed to promote appreciation and interest in the Hawaiian Steel Guitar as a uniquely Hawaiian music genre. This free, 3-day festival will include a series of performances, presentations, instructional workshops and jam sessions focused on the Hawaiian Steel Guitar and its importance in the Hawaiian music genre. The Hawaiian Steel Guitar is the only instrument thought to be indigenous to Hawai‘i.

The festival will be held at the Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel on April 19-21, 2013. The on-site cultural presentations will include Lei Making Classes, Hawaiian Language Lessons and Lauhala Weaving Classes. A Historic Ka‘anapali Walking Tour and a Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel Na Mea Makamae Museum Tour will also be offered.

Hawaiian music will be presented at the festival by local (Maui) steel guitar players and Hawaiian Steel Guitar masters Alan Akaka, Greg Sardinha, Bobby Ingano, Geri Valdriz and Ross Ka‘a‘a. and feature hula dance troupes and other Hawaiian cultural presenters.

Saturday Music Workshops are open to all interested students and musicians and will include instruction on playing techniques and styles, how to record music, jam session protocols, and an introduction to the basics of the business of Hawaiian music. Workshops will also be offered in ukulele, upright bass and guitar playing techniques as supportive instruments to the Hawaiian Steel Guitar.

Public "kanikapila" jam sessions will he held on Friday and Saturday nights and hosted by the master steel guitar players. These sessions are open to the public and will provide opportunities for guest musicians, students and aspiring young Maui artists to share their talents and learn from the masters.

A Saturday evening ho‘olaule‘a will feature Maui Hawaiian Steel Guitar players, visiting Master players, hula dancers, and various guest artists. Saturday workshop participants will also be invited to participate.

The festival hopes to promote increased participation by local residents, particularly young people, through community outreach programs utilizing teams of performers and music educators that will visit several Maui schools. These teams will discuss with students the history of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, demonstrate playing techniques and the importance of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar in the Hawaiian music genre and perform Hawaiian music to encourage interest and participation at the festival's hotel workshops.