All Hands-on in Kapolei

February 18, 2019 • Addison Ching • Festivals and Conventions

The hands-on steel guitar experience offered at many HIMELE steel guitar festivals is proving to be very popular among festival guests. The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali'i in West O'ahu's Kapolei, was no exception. The demonstrations there provided an educational extension to the musical experience of the festival.

Daniel Tremblay conducted the demonstrations. He also conducts weekly demonstrations at the Royal Hawaiian Center and has just started offering a steel guitar class at the Waikiki Community Center. A resident of New Hampshire, Daniel spends about half of his time in Hawaii and offers the demonstrations during his stay in Hawaii.

Dan Tremblay describes nuances of the steel to a guest. PC-Don Touchi

The demonstration station is set up in the area adjacent to the festival performance stage and provides an opportunity for the curious to learn more about the Hawaiian steel guitar and try their hand at playing the instrument. The demonstration setup includes a lap steel guitar that is plugged into a portable amplifier. Dan provides information about the guitar and helps guests as they try out the instrument.

Pomaika'i Lyman tries the steel
PC-Don Touchi

Bobby Ingano demonstrates the steel
PC-Don Touchi

Daniel will conduct his demonstrations at the forthcoming Hawaiian steel guitar festivals on Kaua'i in March and Maui in April.