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Topic: Any steel in Maui? |
Pete Honychurch
From: British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 7 Jan 2010 2:43 pm
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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
(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 |
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Brad Bechtel
From: San Francisco, CA
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Posted 7 Jan 2010 3:30 pm
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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 |
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George Piburn
From: The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 7 Jan 2010 3:38 pm edit
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edit
Last edited by George Piburn on 23 Jun 2012 8:17 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Bill Creller
From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 7 Jan 2010 5:50 pm
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Maybe someone from Hawaii will chime in. The HSGA website is not always accurate. Slack key players are all over the place. |
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Don McClellan
From: California/Thailand
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Posted 7 Jan 2010 6:34 pm
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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 |
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Ron Whitfield
From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 7 Jan 2010 7:23 pm
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I'd say the HSGA has as much Maui info as anybody currently, Bill. |
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Don Kona Woods
From: Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 12:07 am
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Not much happening on Maui.
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,
Don |
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Derrick Mau
From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 12:10 am
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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. |
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Joe Kaufman
From: Lewiston, Idaho
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 7:14 am
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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. |
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Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 7:52 am
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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 |
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Derrick Mau
From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 9:39 am
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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. |
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Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 9:43 am
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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 |
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Ron Whitfield
From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 10:03 am 2 years?!
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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. |
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Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 10:14 am
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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 |
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Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 10:47 am
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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 |
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Derrick Mau
From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 10:50 am
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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. |
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Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 10:57 am
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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 |
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Derrick Mau
From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 12:24 pm
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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
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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. |
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Ron Simpson
From: Illinois, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 12:48 pm
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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 |
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Mitch Drumm
From: Frostbite Falls, hard by Veronica Lake
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 1:27 pm
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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. |
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Gerald Ross
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Derrick Mau
From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 2:05 pm
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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. |
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Derrick Mau
From: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 2:06 pm
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You're welcome Gerald.
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Pete Honychurch
From: British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 2:32 pm
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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 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. |
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George Piburn
From: The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 8 Jan 2010 4:23 pm edit
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edit
Last edited by George Piburn on 23 Jun 2012 8:18 am; edited 1 time in total |
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