2019 May | Steel Trappings

Hot Steel

The Waikīkī Community Center Experience

May 11, 2019 • Daniel Tremblay • Education and Training

The beginning steel guitar lessons at the Waikīkī Community Center were scheduled to be six weeks long but ended up being eight weeks due to popular demand from the students.

The Community Center classroom

We had six students but one could not make the scheduled time so I tutored him in the lobby of my condo. Lesson materials were graciously provided by Alan Akaka.

All of the students progressed very well and the classes would not have been possible without the sponsorship of Bill Thomson who provided the guitar kit including the steel guitar, practice amp, tuner, picks, steel bar, guitar cable and music stand. The students eventually purchased the equipment they used at our cost.

Waikīkī Community Center steel guitar students

Bill was the other kumu who added much to the students' learning as well. Hopefully we have six more steel guitar players in our future to perhaps join us on the beach in Waikīkī. Future plans are being considered for next year at a place and time where younger school aged keiki can join.

Ed. Note: Daniel Tremblay presented a beginning steel guitar class at the Waikiki Community Center as a part of his steel guitar training program. Steel guitarist Bill Thompson assisted Daniel and provided valuable classroom resources for the program. Bill also contributed to this article.

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Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i
February 28, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST (Rescheduled)
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Hilo Steel Guitar Festival
March 7, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 3:15 PM HST
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Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Keiki Kine
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Royal Grove Stage, Royal Hawaiian Center, Waikīkī

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Keiki Kine at Kahala Mall
August 15, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST *
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Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Ka Makana Ali‘i
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Hilo Steel Guitar Festival
March 7, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 3:15 PM HST

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Keiki Kine at Ka Makana Ali‘i
April 4, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM HST

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival at Windward Mall
June 13, 2026 – 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM HST *

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Japan-Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival (J-FESTA)
July 10, 2026 – 2:30 PM - 6:30 PM HST

Royal Hawaiian Center Presents Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival
July 11, 2026 – 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM HST

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival - Keiki Kine at Kahala Mall
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