| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Any steel in Maui?
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Any steel in Maui?
Pete Honychurch

 

From:
British Columbia, Canada
Post  Posted 7 Jan 2010 2:43 pm    
Reply with quote

Aloha, I am vacationing in Maui till the 17th of Jan and would love to see some hawaiian steel, but it doesn't seem to exist much. After that I am on the big island for a month as well.
It seems very sad to me that the steel is a dying art form in the land of it's birth. Lots of Ukelele and Slack Key, but no steel Sad
(I understand that there are occasional shows on Oahu, but I won't be going there this time around)
If any of you know of any shows featuring steel whilst I am here on Maui or the big island it would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Pete
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Brad Bechtel


From:
San Francisco, CA
Post  Posted 7 Jan 2010 3:30 pm    
Reply with quote

According to the HSGA web site, the following steel players are featured on Maui:

The "Old Lahaina Luau" steel lineup: Ross Ka'a'a Mondays and Fridays; Ralph Melemai Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays; Sam Ako on Thursdays. 505 Front Street, Lahaina, 5:15-8:45 pm

Tuesday evenings at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Traditional Hawaiian music hosted by George Kahumoku, Jr., featuring mainly slack key (Ledward Kaapana, Cyril Pahinui, and Dennis Kamakahi are frequent guests), but also offering 'ukulele (Ohta-San), falsetto singing (Uncle Richard Ho'opi'i), and of course, steel guitar.

Owana Salazar plays every Wednesday evening at the Lahaina Mall.

On the Big Island:

'Iaukea Bright is on steel with "The Lim Family" at the Maunakea Resort Luau, 6-9 pm, Tuesdays.

Al Greene, Jr. plays at the Copper Bar at the Maunakea Beach Hotel, alternating days with Kalei Bridges and Jamieson Wong 5:30-8:30 pm.

Kalei Bridges is on steel at the Maunalani Orchids in South Kohala. (Please someone, let us know what the hours are...mahalo)

Iaukea is at the Kona Sheraton with Randy Lorenzo and Kevin Teves
Jamieson Wong plays for the Lim Family luau show at Maunakea.
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
George Piburn


From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
Post  Posted 7 Jan 2010 3:38 pm     edit
Reply with quote

edit

Last edited by George Piburn on 23 Jun 2012 8:17 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bill Creller

 

From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
Post  Posted 7 Jan 2010 5:50 pm    
Reply with quote

Maybe someone from Hawaii will chime in. The HSGA website is not always accurate. Slack key players are all over the place.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Don McClellan

 

From:
California/Thailand
Post  Posted 7 Jan 2010 6:34 pm    
Reply with quote

Hi,
Try to find Henry Allen. Ask around.
I am in Thailand at the moment until Feb. 3rd otherwise I'd invite you to a gig of mine or a little jam at my place.
Be sure to drive up-country and see the sights there.
Aloha, Don
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 7 Jan 2010 7:23 pm    
Reply with quote

I'd say the HSGA has as much Maui info as anybody currently, Bill.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Don Kona Woods


From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 12:07 am    
Reply with quote

Not much happening on Maui. Sad

At the "Old Lahaina Luau," Ross Ka'awa plays Hawaiian steel guitar at the Luau show only certain nights. The Old Lahaina Lu'au 1251 Front Street
Lahaina, Maui, Hawai'i 96761. It will be best to check.

Henry Kaleialoha Allen will be conducting a 3 day Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival in April.


Aloha, Smile
Don
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Derrick Mau

 

From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 12:10 am    
Reply with quote

The information on the HSGA website is really outdated. Eddie Palama left the Moana Hotel about 5 years ago, and so did Kaipo Kukahiko. Lem Aweau is already retired from music.

The show at the Ritz Carlton moved to Napili two years ago. The only steel players at this show is me and Bobby Ingano, and we won't be there till April, otherwise just predominantly a slack key show.
Best bet in Maui is to track down Henry Allen and see if he's playing anywhere.

The entertainment at the 3 hotels in Kona on HSGA's list has scaled down to one guitar singer, and one dancer. The only steel player I've seen in Kona was at the Kona airport. There was a trio playing music for arriving guest.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Joe Kaufman

 

From:
Lewiston, Idaho
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 7:14 am    
Reply with quote

I'll second, the "Old Lahaina Luau". When I was there last year, it was the only steel I could find. For this young guy it was great to listen to the trio there.

I even when to a music instrument shop near the airport with about 200 different ukulele models and a banjo or two in stock. No steels though.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Gerald Ross


From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 7:52 am    
Reply with quote

I maintain the data on the HSGA website.

My data is only as good as what I'm given.

I do not hunt out this data.

If the steel guitarists in the Hawaiian Islands want FREE publicity they should send me their gig listings. I will gladly post them.

Come on... you've got to toot your own horn.
_________________
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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Derrick Mau

 

From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 9:39 am    
Reply with quote

Quote:
If the steel guitarist in the Hawaiian Islands want FREE publicity they should send me their gig listings


The fact that this listing hasn't been updated in years tells you that anyone here don't need the FREE publicity, otherwise, they would have contacted you . . . correct?

Quote:
Come on . . . you've got to toot your own horn


No one here is out to promote themselves. We let our music do the talking.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Gerald Ross


From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 9:43 am    
Reply with quote

Come on Derrick, be real.

If the Waikiki based steel guitarists did a better job of promoting themselves they would be playing on the mainland and world-wide more and getting better gigs - not just happy hour gigs in hotels, occasional tour boats or the once in a blue moon three day tour of Japan.

The steel talent in Honolulu should be playing at major roots music festivals world-wide. Not just happy hour. They are world class but are keeping their talent under wraps.
_________________
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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Ron Whitfield

 

From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 10:03 am     2 years?!
Reply with quote

An info page that isn't maintained is worthless/misleading, and expecting artists to contact the site personel isn't being real. The site mgr. has to put in some effort, or should simply remove the page.

I periodically maintain my info page, and if it should become to much of a task to do that then I'll take it down.
Kinda goes with the territory.

It smacks of the same absurdity as waiting til the last minute for players to call to play at the bi-annual gigs instead of the organizer hustling the players in advance to assure their availability without complications and let them know they are wanted.

This is just basic common sense and courtesy.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Gerald Ross


From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 10:14 am    
Reply with quote

It's not my job to call every hotel, bar, shopping mall or community center each week to see who is playing there.

It is up to either the musicians themselves or their agents/manager to know where the free publicity site is and feed this info to the media. The media will gladly publish the info.

And yes the Waikiki based steel guitarists should do a better job of promoting themselves. How many times a year does this forum get the message "I'm going to Hawaii next month, where can I hear some steel music?" And when they get little or no information they are forced to settle for Jawaiian music or a Jimmy Buffett cover band when a world-class steeler may be playing somewhere close by.

The Waikiki Steelers should:
1. Give me up to date info about their gigs. I will update the HSGA website within a day of receiving it. Ask anyone who sends me their recordings about my turnaround time.

2. Or they should pool their resources - each contribute 75 cents a month - and buy their own website - have a living calendar that tourists can access.

It's not that hard, it's not rocket science... that's only if you want to do it.

The "No one here is out to promote themselves. We let our music do the talking" only goes so far - and I don't believe it for a second.
_________________
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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Gerald Ross


From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 10:47 am    
Reply with quote

An 85 year old successful (always working) musician once told me two things.

1. Every six months or so you have to let the public know that you are still alive and working.

2. You have to toot your own horn every so often or people will mistake it for a funnel and dump sh*t down it.
_________________
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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Derrick Mau

 

From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 10:50 am    
Reply with quote

Gerald,

Music for many of us (with a few exception's) is not a job. We don't play music for a living, but play for the passion of Hawaiian music. If we make money, we make money . . . if we don't, we don't.

I agree with Ron though; if that portion of the website is not being updated, it will only mis-lead people, then you'll get the blame in the end.

Entertainment in Hawaii can change day by day. Here's a fail safe solution: Why not just list the hotel's or venue's in each island that are known to provide Hawaiian music and a phone number.

The tourist then can use this information to call from their room to verify.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Gerald Ross


From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 10:57 am    
Reply with quote

Thank you. If you or Ron or anyone would send me a list of Hotels(with Island and city) that are known to have steel music I will update the website.

A side note. I am very frustrated that Hawaiian Steel music is not enjoying the exposure that other forms of roots music are currently experiencing. Why is this so? It's not that the general roots music listening public would not like the sound. It's simply due to lack of publicity and public exposure.

Bobby Ingano, Jeff Au Hoy, Greg Sardinha, Alan Akaka, Derrick Mau could all hold their own on any roots music festival stage.
_________________
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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Derrick Mau

 

From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 12:24 pm    
Reply with quote

Gerald,

Here's information for Oahu.
Since I don't live in Kona, Maui or Kauai, can other Forum member living there chime in with some information?

HALEKULANI HOTEL
House without a key
923-2311

WESTIN MOANA SURFRIDER HOTEL
922-3111

WAIKIKI MARRIOT
Moana Terrace
922-6611

ELKS CLUB
923-5722

OUTRIGGER REEF HOTEL
923-3111

HONEY'S AT KOOLAU GOLF CLUB
236-4653

HALEIWA JOE'S AT HAIKU
247-6671


Quote:
I am very frustrated that Hawaiian steel music is not enjoying the exposure that other forms of roots music are currently experiencing. Why is this so?


Largely because the local radio stations here don't embrace this type of music. Contemporary Hawaiian music without steel and reggae is currently IN.

Music evolves, so hopefully the steel guitar will get it's turn again, and hopefully within our lifetime.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Ron Simpson

 

From:
Illinois, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 12:48 pm    
Reply with quote

Aloha!

We're going to enjoy the Live on the Lawn concert this evening at Hawaii State Art Museum. It's a free concert, and we're super excited to see Uncle George Kahumoku again, whom we haven't seen in over a year. The concert is scheduled from 6-9 p.m. this evening. Feel free to join us! Here's the link to the map:
http://www.state.hi.us/sfca/aboutus.php?article_id=10

As Always,
With Much Aloha,
the Abrigo 'Ohana
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mitch Drumm

 

From:
Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 1:27 pm    
Reply with quote

Gerald:

As an outsider/non-musician, it seems to me that Hawaii-based steelers are likely not as frustrated as you (and I) might be by the lack of exposure, possibly for very personal or cultural reasons.

For reasons of their own, they choose not to pursue the "roots music" route. They apparently have more important priorities in their lives individually and I wouldn't question that.

I am not positive how well Hawaiian steel would go over at roots shows, but it is obviously a moot point given the players' choices not to pursue it.

Steel is a niche, Hawaiian steel is a niche within a niche, and the tide of pop culture, radio, and TV overwhelms it all.

I wouldn't tell you your battle is futile, but I would hope you can manage your frustrations and accept it. Your job is largely thankless and reverting to a list of contacts and phone numbers may be the best approach.
View user's profile Send private message
Gerald Ross


From:
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 1:36 pm    
Reply with quote

HSGA website updated with the info Derrick sent.

Thank you Derrick.
_________________
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
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Derrick Mau

 

From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 2:05 pm    
Reply with quote

Quote:
Steel is a niche, Hawaiian steel is niche within a nitch


You hit the nail right on the head, Mitch.
If any promoter is to bring over a Hawaiian steel player, there has to be a DEMAND.

In the olden days, shows like Ray Kinney at the Lexington and the Harry Owens Show in Los Angeles did well because there was a demand for this type of music at that time.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Derrick Mau

 

From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 2:06 pm    
Reply with quote

You're welcome Gerald.
Very Happy
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Pete Honychurch

 

From:
British Columbia, Canada
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 2:32 pm    
Reply with quote

Gerald Ross wrote:
You have to toot your own horn every so often or people will mistake it for a funnel and dump sh*t down it.


now that's funny Smile I'm going to quote that one sometime.

Wow, what an amazing place this is. Thank you all for the informative responses, I just checked back on my post and there's over 20 responses.

There are some very interesting opinions stated here about the state of steel in Hawaii. I guess that's why Jerry Byrd tried to jump start it again. I was here last year and called around the hotels and clubs in Honolulu and when I would ask if they had any steel players performing they almost all didn't know what that was.

I would say it might be getting ripe for a resurgence. I used to play mandolin as my 1st instrument with guitar and dobro as 2nd and 3rds (before tendonitis changed all that). At one point 25 years ago you couldn't hardly give away an F5 style mandolin. Now everyone wants one and the top luthiers charge over 20 grand for one and you see them in all styles of music, not just bluegrass.
And Gretch guitars were undesireable and worth very little until Brian Setzer became big. So things do come around eventually. It could be that a crossover artist may popularize the hawaiian steel into popular culture again. Then maybe the Hawaiian kids will be interested in it again instead of hip hop or what ever.

Thanks for the info, I will look into what's goin on.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
George Piburn


From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
Post  Posted 8 Jan 2010 4:23 pm     edit
Reply with quote

edit

Last edited by George Piburn on 23 Jun 2012 8:18 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron