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Topic: 2007 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Convention at Waikiki Beach |
Don Kona Woods
From: Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 12:08 am
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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 |
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Craig Stenseth
From: Naperville, Illinois, USA
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 5:36 am
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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. |
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Gary Lynch
From: Creston, California, USA
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 5:59 am
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Beautiful sights and sounds. |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From: Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 7:30 am
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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. |
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Gary Lynch
From: Creston, California, USA
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 8:12 am
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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. |
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Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Gary Lynch
From: Creston, California, USA
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 8:48 am
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"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! |
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Bill Creller
From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 10:59 am
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Thanks again for all the wonderful pix Don
Regards BILL |
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Don Kona Woods
From: Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 2:49 pm
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Quote: |
Thanks again for all the wonderful pix Don |
Your welcome, Bill. Glad to do it.
Having been to the Convention, the pictures do seem to give a person something to relate to if they were unable to attend. If I were not able to attend the convention I would be interested in any person posting pictures of the convention.
However, it would be interesting to ask those people that have not come to the Convention, whether the pictures mean anything to them?
Maybe the jury is still out on pictures. What do you think?
Aloha,
Don |
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Rick Aiello
From: Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 2:57 pm
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Quote: |
Also, in my opinion, there is NO restaurant in Hawai'i that can compare to Al's Steakhouse. |
I've yet to find a restaurant anywhere ... where the "act of dining" compares to Al's Steakhouse ...
But it may have, very well been the company ... that made the experience ...
Such an experience ... |
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Ray Montee
From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 3:09 pm Thanks for sharing.........
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Thanks for a great pictorial and vivid text.
Great people having a wonderful time!
Sure would have loved to have been there once more. |
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Harry Dietrich
From: Robesonia, Pennsylvania, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 3:37 pm Rick writes:
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Quote: |
I've yet to find a restaurant anywhere ... where the "act of dining" compares to Al's Steakhouse ... |
Then how come we didn't eat there last year? We went to that other "ritzy" place...can't remember the name.
And Rick was in great form too. LMAO!!
Don
I really enjoy your pictures...keep em coming!
Harry |
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Don Kona Woods
From: Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 14 Jun 2007 11:32 pm
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Jeff says,
Quote: |
Well, as a person who's been to Joliet, I'll say the place is not any less nice than Hawai'i... just different. |
Jeff sounds like a politician.
Since I am not running for office - I think Hawaii is 100 times nicer than Joliet, including the restaurants. How about Michels in Hawaii right on the beach? I will take that over Al's Steakhouse anyday.
Decription of Michel's - Those looking for French cuisine in an incredible on-the-beach atmosphere will find it here in Michel's. One of the most romantic places in Honolulu, a wall of windows opens to the sunset, torches are on the breakwater, a hula moon rises above the palm fronds, and the entire Waikiki skyline is visible to the leeward side. All tables have an ocean view with live music (slack-key and classical guitar with a vocalist Thurs-Sat, and strolling musicians on Sun) attracts sunset and music lovers too. Chef Hardy Kintscher has added his touch to the classics (onion soup, steak tartare, chateaubriand, bouillabaisse) and prepares fresh seafood, vegetarian creations, and rack of lamb with restraint and creativity.
Now let's see what kind of description we can get from Al's Steakhouse that comes anywhere near this.
You Al's Steakhouse fans just need more exposure - in Hawaii.
Aloha,
Don |
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Rick Aiello
From: Berryville, VA USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2007 3:32 am
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Now let's see what kind of description we can get from Al's Steakhouse that comes anywhere near this. |
Here's their new slogan:
Al's Steakhouse - The steaks are so good ... you need two sets of "choppers" to fully enjoy them
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You Al's Steakhouse fans just need more exposure - in Hawaii. |
That may be so Don ... or maybe ... you are just not dining with the right folks in Joliet
Harry, that was Syl's Restaurant ... and don't worry ... the Maître d' asked us not to return
This is all just a little joke amongst a few of us Jolieteers |
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Harry Dietrich
From: Robesonia, Pennsylvania, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Jun 2007 10:15 am Rick writes:
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Al's Steakhouse - The steaks are so good ... you need two sets of "choppers" to fully enjoy them |
Well that only applies to HowardR. |
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