Festival Program - 2026 Festrival
Event Schedules
Click here to see and download the Festival's Complete Event ScheduleThe 2026 Festival will be held at the Kukui Grove Center and feature steel guitar masters Alan Akaka, Ken Emerson, Bobby Ingano, Jess Montgomery, Kaimana Ka‘auwai, Mālie Lyman, and Ed Punua. NextGEN steel guitarists Isaac Woodward, Hi‘ipoi Lindsey, and Kui Joy will also perform. The program will begin at 10:30 AM and is scheduled to run through 2:45 PM.
The emcee will be Monte McComber.
Featured Steel Guitarists
- Alan Akaka
- Ken Emerson
- Bobby Ingano
- Kaimana Ka‘auwai
- Mālie Lyman
- Jess Montgomery
- Ed Punua
- Ke Kula Mele NextGEN Steel Guitarists
NextGEN Steel Guitarists
These "NextGEN" Steel Guitar students of Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i School of Hawaiian Music will perform for festival attendees' enjoyment.
Steel Guitar Hands-On Opportunities
Festival guests will be offered hands-on opportunities to experience the steel guitar under the guidance of aa steel guitar expert.
The Festival Poster
The Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival poster was designed by Addison Ching and features pictures of the master performers superimposed on a picture of an Excel 8-string Jerry Byrd Frypan steel guitar. Click on the thumbnail for a larger view.
Copyright ©2026 by Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences, Inc., and Cyberventures Unlimited.Terms of Use