2026 Festival 1

The festival featured steel guitar masters Alan Akaka, Steve Cheney, Paul Kim, Mālie Lyman, Nā Kūpuna o Ko‘olau, and Greg Sardinha. Also featured were NextGEN steel guitarists Isaac Woodward, Hi‘ipoi Lindsey, Kui Joy, and Ever Ta‘ala. Backup musicians included Helene Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, David Woodward, and NextGEN Schuyler Woodward.

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

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• Emcee Jake Kūliaikanu‘u Fernandez.
• Featured performers Nā Kūpuna o Koʻolau: Claude Kutaka, Tom Okimoto, Andrea Lee, Steve Kawachi, Cindy Weise, Myra OʻBrien, and Calvin Higa.
• Featured performers Nā Kūpuna o Koʻolau. Dancers: Lori Adolewski, Michelle Baquiro, Dottie Sakamoto, Debbie Chun, Ellie Carpenter, Momi Irvine. Musicians: Claude Kutaka, Tom Okimoto, Andrea Lee, Steve Kawachi, Cindy Weise, Myra OʻBrien, and Calvin Higa.
• Claude Kutaka and Tom Okimoto.
• Tom Okimoto, Andrea Lee, and Steve Kawachi on bass.
• Steve Kawachi, Andrea Lee, Cindy Weise, Myra O'Brien, and Calivin Higa.
• Cindy Weise, Myra O'Brien, and Calvin Higa.
• Claude Kutaka, Steve Kawachi, Tom Okimoto, Andrea Lee, Cindy Weise, Myra O'Brien, and Calvin Higa.
• Featured steel guitarist Steve Cheney with Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Steve Cheney with David Woodward and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Helene Woodward.
• David Woodward.
• Steve Cheney and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Kaipo Lindsey and Ethan Speyer.
• Featured NextGEN steel guitarist Hiʻipoi Lindsey with Alan Akaka and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Hiʻipoi Lindsey with Schuyler Woodward, David Woodward, Alan Akaka, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Hiʻipoi Lindsey with David Woodward.
• Hiʻipoi Lindsey with Alan Akaka, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Featured steel guitarist Mālie Lyman with Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Mālie Lyman.
• Mālie Lyman.
• Mālie Lyman with David Woodward and Pomaikaʻi Keawe Fatongia.
• Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Mālie Lyman, Pomaikai Keawe Fatongia, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Alan Akaka.
• NextGEN steel guitarist Kui Joy with Alan Akaka and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Kui Joy with Schuyler Woodward, David Woodward, Alan Akaka, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Kui Joy and David Woodward.
• Kui Joy.

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Photography by Don Rostow ©2026 by Don Rostow and HIMELE.