2026 Festival 2

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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• Darrell Aquino.
• Featured steel guitarist Greg Sardinha.
• Greg Sardinha with Helene Woodward and Darrell Aquino.
• NextGEN steel guitarist Ever Taʻala with Alan Akaka and Kaipo Lindsey.
• Ever Taʻala with Schuyler Woodward, David Woodward, Alan Akaka, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Ever Taʻala with Alan Akaka.
• NextGEN Schuyler Woodward.
• Ever Taʻala and Alan Akaka.
• Featured steel guitarist Paul Kim.
• Paul Kim with Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Paul Kim.
• Paul Kim with Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Featured NextGEN steel guitarist Isaac Woodward with David Woodward and Alan Akaka.
• Isaac Woodward and Alan Akaka.
• Isaac Woodward with Schuyler Woodward (sister), David Woodward (dad), Alan Akaka, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Isaac Woodward.
• Isaac Woodward and Alan Akaka.
• Featured steel guitarist Alan Akaka.
• Alan Akaka with Helene Woodward, David Woodward, Kaipo Lindsey, and Ethan Speyer.
• Claude Kutaka, Kevin Speyer and Dan Tremblay engage festival guests at the hands-on demonstration table.
• Alan Akaka.
• Helene Woodward, David Woodward, and Alan Akaka.
• Schuyler Woodward.
• Schuyler Woodward with David Woodward and Alan Akaka.
• HIMELE Media Coordinator Dr. Michiko Akaka.

Back to Gallery: 2026 Festival

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