2007 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Convention at Waikiki Beach

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Our 2007 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Assn. Convention was held at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel next to famous Diamond Head and ¼ block from Waikiki beach. Approximately 150 persons attended the convention from all over the world. Some of the countries were England, Wales, New Zealand, Indonesia, Fiji, Samoa, Australia, Singapore, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, India, Pakistan, U.S, Canada, etc. One gets to talk with people of different cultures.

There were almost 50 participants in all of the concerts. There were 14 steel players from Japan and 14 from the U.S., then a good number from Canada. There was one common language and it was the sound of Hawaiian steel guitar. There were many different makes of steel guitar. A good many of the Japanese players play the Canopus from Japan.

Here are some pictures. Maybe some of you may have some questions that some of us would be glad to answer.

Waikiki Beach just ¼ block from the Convention Hotel – Queen Kapiolani

The Famous Banyon Tree Courtyard at the Moana Hotel looking toward the balcony (left side) where all of the famous steel guitarists played on Hawaii Calls international radio program. Names such as David Keli’i, Jules Ah See, Barney Isaacs, Tommy Castro and others.

Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association President, Kamaka Tom

Hal Smith from Canada, owner of Dick McIntire original frypan steel guitar, now playing Rickenbacker Bakelite.

Our Hula maiden, Diane Peters from Indonesia now living in Amsterdam

Ron Carter from New Zealand

Dick Lloyd from Southern California

Bobby Ingano showing his versatility on Uke and allowing Doug Smith and Barbara Kuhns to do their thing. Doug and Barbara are from Ohio.

Bobby Ingano on steel from Hawaii

The Williams Twins – Joanne on steel and Janis on guitar from Michigan

Kimiko Ohta & “The Birds,” from Japan. They put on a fantastic performance, high
energy and got the loudest applause. They play professionally at clubs.

Yukitsugu Sakasegawa, steel guitarist and arranger for Kimiko Ohta & “The Birds” from Japan

Tom Tohma from Japan. Vice President of HSGA

Art Ruymar from Canada

Bernice Honhold from Michigan

Terry Miller from Vancouver, Washington getting that last finger harmonic.

Motoyuki Suzuki from Japan

Don Kona Woods from Vancouver Washington. Being 6’ 2” I choose to sit with a Magnatone because a steel with 3 legs at the height that is needed will have a tendency to take a nose dive.

Duke Ching from Hawaii via California playing T-8 Stringmaster

Mike Scott from Toronto, Canada on 1934 Rickenbacker frypan

Yukinobu Ujiie from Japan

My Hawaiian Body Guard Team – L-R Kalena Lono, Don Kona Woods, Eddie Ka’iama
and Lionel Kailihiwa (Uncle Braddah). So don’t mess with me.

It is now time for a break. It is Hawaiian Lunch Time or Kau Kau Time

Kalua Pig on the menu

Poke is Hawaiian for "section" or "to slice or cut". Composed of limu, scallions, green onion, chopped onion, chopped tomato, soy sauce, chiles, and raw tuna.

Haupia or coconut custard

Poi or pounded taro root until made into a paste. New comers must eat it with kalua pig at first before acquiring a taste for it. I love it.

Participants from India and Pakistan

Kunihiko Anzawa from Japan. One of the better steel guitarist with Hawaiian touch.

Our Hula Maiden from Indonesia

Two students of Ron Kanahele in Hawaii - The lady is Jade Louie from Hawaii and Eddie Ka’iama from Waimanalo, Hawaii

The Hawaiian sun now sets on the 2007 HSGA convention

And the Hawaiian moon rises

Aloha and Enjoy
Don

Craig Stenseth · From: Naperville, Illinois, USA

Thanks for those Don, I will keep telling myself the scenery and food in Joliet are just as nice. So far, it's not working.

Gary Lynch · From: Creston, California, USA

Beautiful sights and sounds.

Jeff Au Hoy · From: Honolulu, Hawai'i

Well, as a person who's been to Joliet, I'll say the place is not any less nice than Hawai'i... just different. Hawai'i's got surf... but no snow. Joliet's got nice crisp clean cold air... Hawai'i's often muggy and humid. Also, in my opinion, there is NO restaurant in Hawai'i that can compare to Al's Steakhouse.

Gary Lynch · From: Creston, California, USA

Jeff has a good point. Even a so-called paradise has it's issues. An old acquaintance from the North side named Kimo Hollinger, used to tell me he did not like going into town in the summer because "there was not enough oxygen" due to all the building going on. "Too many plants and trees have been removed."

Paradise is often largely in our minds.

Gerald Ross · From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Joliet vs. Hawaii

If you close your eyes while you are in Joliet and listen to Interstate 80 it sort of sounds like the ocean. Rolling Eyes

_________________
Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

A UkeTone Recording Artist

CEO, CIO, CFO - UkeTone Records
Gerald's Hawaiian Steel Guitar/Ukulele Website

Gary Lynch · From: Creston, California, USA

"If you close your eyes while you are in Joliet and listen to Interstate 80 it sort of sounds like the ocean."

Interesting you said that. A childhood friend of mine who lived in a house almost right under an L.A. freeway as a kid, used to say that exact thing!