E Komo Mai!

The NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival is a Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival that features exclusively select youth steel guitar students of Ke Kula Mele that have earned the recognition of NextGEN.

These NextGEN Steel Guitarists are a group of "Next Generation" Ke Kula Mele keiki students who excel in their craft and are selected to represent the school in various public performance functions such as the HIMELE Hawaiian steel guitar festivals held statewide. Once a student earns the designation of NextGEN, the student retains that privilege until he or she is no longer a student of Ke Kula Mele or graduates from college.

NextGEN musicians are selected for their musical proficiency, confidence in performing, and willingness to engage an audience and share their musical story.

NextGEN musicians typically are proficient in multiple instruments, and many also sing. When not performing as a featured artist, a NextGEN musician will participate as a part of the backup musical ensemble for the featured artist.

NextGEN musicians are selected by Kumu Alan Akaka when they demonstrate their readiness to join this select group of musicians.

When a NextGEN Musician graduates from high school he or she becomes a NextGEN alumnus.

NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festivals featuring NextGEN steel guitarists include the NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i, the NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i - Hana Hou! and the NextGEN Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Kahala Mall.

These festivals are presented free to the public by Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences (HIMELE) and the Ka Makana Ali‘i. NextGEN steel guitarists received support from Breezy Ridge® Instruments, Ltd., the home of John Pearse® Strings.