2023 Festival Part 1

The 2023 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i featured steel guitarists Alan Akaka, Steve Cheney, Kapono Lopes, Mālie Lyman and Greg Sardinha and Po‘okela (Zach Castro and Kata Maduli.) Also featured were Ke Kula Mele Hawaiāi NextGen steel guitarists Hi‘ipoi Lindsay, Reigh Lyu, Enosa Lyman, Isabella Bertelmann, Makamae Lyu-Napoleon, and Pono Fernandez.

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• Emcee Alan Akaka introduces Kapono Lopes. Accompanying him is Kuki Among on guitar and Kaipo Asing on ʻukulele. Photo by Addison Ching.
• Featured steel guitarist Kapono Lopes with Helene Woodward, Kuki Among, and Kaipo Asing. Photo by Addison Ching.
• Kapono Lopes and Kuki Among. Photo by Addison Ching.
• Kapuanalani Lopes danced for Kapono.
• Kapuanalani Lopes.
• Kapono Lopes.
• Kapono on the steel guitar.
• Kaipo Asing on ʻukulele.
• Kuki Among on backup guitar.
• Addison Ching provided information about HIMELE and the festival to guests.
• NextGen steel guitarist Makamae Lyu-Napoleon.
• Makamae Lyu-Napoleon.
• Alan Akaka provided backup for NextGen steel guitarists.
• Helene Woodward, Alan Akaka, Makamae Lyu-Napoleon, and Kaipo Asing.
• NextGen steel guitar duet by Isabella Bertelmann and Makamae Lyu-Napoleon with backup by Alan Akaka.
• NextGen steel guitarist Isabella Bertelmann.
• Isabella Bertelmann.
• Steel guitarist Steve Cheney with Helene Woodward, Alan Akaka, and Kaipo Asing.
• Featured steel guitarist Steve Cheney with Alan Akaka.
• Steve Cheney.
• Steve Cheney with his personally-crafted steel guitar.
• Featured steel guitarist Alan Akaka with Helene Woodward and Kaipo Asing.
• Upright bass player Helene Woodward.
• Surprise hula by Grifford ʻʻKamakaʻʻ Tom.
• NextGen steel guitarist Hiʻipoi Lindsay guest performed with Alan Akaka.
• Hiʻipoi Lindsay and Alan Akaka.
• Hiʻipoi Lindsay with her gifted Rickenbacher NS steel guitar.
• Featured steel guitarist Alan Akaka.
• Alan Akaka with Helene Woodward and Kaipo Asing.
• Alan Akaka.

Back to Gallery: 2023 Festival

Photography by Don Rostow ©2023 by Don Rostow unless otherwise noted. All photos ©2023 by HIMELE.