2025 Festival 1

The festival featured steel guitar masters Alan Akaka, Bobby Ingano, Mālie Lyman, Devin Nakahara, and Greg Sardinha & Po‘okela (Darrell Aquino and Kata Maduli). Also featured were NextGen steel guitarists Isaac Woodward, Hi‘ipoi Lindsey, Enosa Lyman, Tai Misailidis, Makamae Lyu-Napoleon, and Isabella Bertelmann. Backup musicians included Helene Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, Kaipo Asing, and David Woodward. Dylan Nakahara also provided backup assistance to Devin Nakahara. The festival was livestreamed.

Claude Kutaka provided hands-on opportunities for festival guests to learn more abouit the Hawaiian steel guitar.

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• Community group Na Kūpuna O Koʻolau. Dancers: Lori Adolewski, Momi Irvine, Michelle Baquiro, Dorothy Sakamoto, and Hula Alakaʻi Louise Alina. Musicians: Calvin Higa, Claude Kutaka, Tom Okimoto, Augie Erlandiz, Miles Yoshioka, Clayton Izu, Mele Alaka’i Naomi Ahana, Steve Kawachi, Myra O’Brien, and Yvonne Bangay.
• Puʻili dancers Lori Adolewski, Momi Irvine, Michelle Baquiro, Dorothy Sakamoto, and Hula Alakaʻi Louise Alina.
• Musicians Calvin Higa, Claude Kutaka, Tom Okimoto, Augie Erlandiz, Miles Yoshioka, Clayton Izu, Mele Alaka’i Naomi Ahana, Steve Kawachi, Myra O’Brien, and Yvonne Bangay.
• Na Kūpuina O Koʻolau: Front: Lori Adolewski, Momi Irvine, Dorothy Sakamoto, Louise Alina, Michelle Baquiro. Rear: Calvin Higa, Claude Kutaka, Tom Okimoto, Augie Erlandiz, Miles Yoshioka, Naomi Ahana, Clayton Izu, Yvonne Bangay, Myra O’Brien, Steve Kawachi.
• Featured steel guitarist Alan Akaka with David Woodward and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Alan Akaka with Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, and Kaipo Asing.
• Alan Akaka and Kaipo Asing.
• Helene Woodward, David Woodward, and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, Alan Akaka, and Kaipo Asing.
• David Woodward and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Alan Akaka.
• NextGen Makamae Lyu-Napoleon danced the hula during Alanʻs performance.
• Makamae, Makameʻs Tutu Loke, and Makamaeʻs mom Tiare Lyu-Napoleon dancing the hula during Alanʻs performance.
• Claude Kutaka shows a festival guest steel guitar basics.
• Claude Kutaka observing another festival guest on the steel guitar.
• Festival emcee Jake Kuliaikanuʻu Fernandez.
• NextGen steel guitarist Makamae Lyu-Napoleon with Kaipo Lindsey.
• Makamae Lyu-Napoleon and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Makamae with Kaipo Lindsey and Alan Akaka.
• NextGen steel guitarists Makamae Lyu-Napoleon and Isabella Bertelmann with Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, Alan Akaka, and Kaipo Asing.
• Steel guitar duet by Makamae and Isabella with Kaipo Lindsey and Alan Akaka.
• NextGen steel guitarist Isabella Bertelmann and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, Isabelle Bertelmann, Alan Akaka, and Kaipo Asing.
• Featured steel guitarist Devin Nakahara with Kaipo Lindsey and Alan Akaka.
• Devin Nakahara.
• Twin Dylan Nakahara assisted with backup.
• Devin Nakahara and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, Devin Nakahara, and Alan Akaka.
• Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, Devin Nakahara, Alan Akaka, and Dylan Nakahara.
• Kaipo Lindsey, Devin Nakahara, Alan Akaka, and Dylan Nakahara,
• NextGEn steel guitarist Hiʻipoi Lindsey with dad Kaipo Lindsey.
• Hiʻipoi Lindsey,
• Hiʻipoi with Kaipo Lindsey and Alan Akaka.

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Photography by Don Rostow ©2025 by Don Rostow and HIMELE.