The 2023 Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Experience featuring the Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival, will be held at the Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection, on Thursday through Sunday, December 14-17, 2023.

The Experience begins on Thursday, December 14, with performances throughout the day at the Surf Shack and H?Lani Restaurant. The Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival's ho‘olaule‘a concert will be held on Friday, December 15, followed by a public kanikapila. The hotel's monthly Twilight at Kal?huipua‘a program featuring the Hawaiian steel guitar will be on Saturday, December 16, and include performances by NextGen steel guitarists. Sunday brunch entertainment will be offered on the lawn of the H?Lani Restaurant.

The 2023 experience will also include school visits, workshops, Open Stage performances, a vintage steel guitar exhibit, and hands-on opportunities for festival guests.

Featured performers will include Alan Akaka, Pomai Brown, Ethan Goore, Bobby Ingano, Kapono Lopes, M?lie Lyman, Dwight Tokumoto, and Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz from Maui. Pomai Brown, Dwight Tokumoto, and Ethan Goore are from Hawai‘i Island.

Also performing will be NextGen steel guitarists Hi‘ipoi Lindsey, Enosa Lyman, Tai Misailidis, Isabella Bertelmann, and Makamae Lyu-Napoleon.

Both Friday's main concert and Saturday's Open Stage Performances will be livestreamed on the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Showcase's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

Event Schedule for the 5th Annual Festival - December 14-17, 2023

THURSDAY, December 14, 2023

12:00-4:00 Live Entertainment - Surf Shack - Festival Musicians

5:00-8:00 Live Entertainment - H?Lani Restaurant - Festival Musicians 

FRIDAY, December 15, 2023

11:00-2:00 Hands-On Experience - Surf Shack

11:00 - 3:00 - Festival Information - North Lanai/Hale l'ike

Festival Sales – North Lanai/Hale l'ike

4:00 - 8:00 - Hands-On Experience - Ballroom

4:00-8:00 - Festival Information -Ballroom

Festival Sales – Ballroom

Friday Ho'olaule'a - Ballroom

4:00-4:25 - Pomai Brown

4:30-4:55 - Ethan Goore

5:00-5:25 - Alan Akaka

4:00-8:00 5:30-5:55 - Geronimo "Geri" Valdriz

6:00-6:25 - Kapono Lopes

6:30-6:55 Dwight Tokumoto

7:00 7:25 M?lic Lyman

7:30-8:00 - Bobby Ingano

8:30-10:00 - Kanikapila - Ballroom

Unplugged jam session open to everyone. Bring your instrument and (if needed) portable amplifier.

SATURDAY, December 16, 2023

9:00-11:00 

Workshop - North Lanai/Hale l'ike

Workshop Presenters

Learn to Play Workshop/Talk Story

10:00-12:00 Hands-On Experience - Surf Shack (additional times possible)

1:30-3:00 Hands-On Experience - North Lanai/Hale l'ike

10:00 - 3:00

Festival Information - North Lanai/Hale l'ike

Festival Sales - North Lanai/Hale l'ike

10:00-3:00 Steel Guitar Exhibit - North Lanai/Hale l'ike

11:30-2:45

Open Stage Surf Shack Deck and Lawn

11:30-11:55 - Barbara Bones

12:00 12:25 - Vickie Van Fechtmann

12:30 12:55 - Jim Dowiat

1:00-2:10 - NextGen

2:15-2:45 - Daniel Toft

5:30-8:30

Twilight at Kal?huipua'a – Eva Parker Woods Cottage

5:30 - Opening oli and welcome

6:00 - NextGen: Hi'ipoi Lindsey, Enosa Lyman, Isabella Bertelmann, Makamae Lyu-Napopeon, Tai Misailidis

7:00 - Break

7:30 - Alan Akaka, Ethan Goore, Bobby Ingano, M?lie Lyman, Geronimo "Geri Valdriz

SUNDAY, December 17, 2023

9:30 - 11:00

Sunday Brunch Entertainment - H?Lani Restaurant Lawn Festival Steel Guitar Artists and musicians

Date: December 14-17, 2023

Location: Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

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