The 2025 Festival will be held at the Kukui Grove Center and feature steel guitar masters Alan Akaka, Bobby Ingano, Jess Montgomery, Kaimana Ka‘auwai, Mālie Lyman, and Kilipaki Vaughan. NextGen steel guitarists Isaac Woodward, Hi‘ipoi Lindsey, Enosa Lyman, and Makamae Lyu-Napoleon will also perform. Kaua‘i Steel Guitarist Ed Punua may also perform if his schedule permits.
Sunday's ho‘olaule‘a will feature six steel guitar masters and four NextGen steel guitarists in separate programs for your enjoyment. The program will begin at 11:00 AM and is scheduled to run through 3:00 PM although it may extend to 3:30 if Ed Punua is able to participate.
The emcee will be Monte McComber.
These "NextGen" Steel Guitar students of Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i School of Hawaiian Music will perform for festival attendees' enjoyment.
Festival guests will be offered hands-on opportunities to experience the steel guitar under the guidance of aa steel guitar expert.
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.
The Festival Archives contains program information from previous festivals.
Copyright ©2025 by Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences, Inc., and Cyberventures Unlimited.Terms of Use
Statewide Festivals
Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival
Maui Steel Guitar Festival
Waikīkī Steel Guitar Week
Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival
Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival
Kona Steel Guitar Festival
Community Festivals
Ka Makana Ali‘i - Kapolei
Windward Mall - Kane‘ohe
Kahala Mall - Wai‘alae-Kāhala
Livestream Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase