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The 5th Annual Waikiki Steel Guitar Festival

Release Number: 60/14

Steele GuitarFor images, contact public.relations@outrigger.com.

WAIKIKI, OAHU, HAWAII – Legendary steel guitarists and up-and-coming students return to Waikiki Beach Walk in July to fill the center with the soothing sounds of the Hawaiian steel guitar at the 5th Annual Waikiki Steel Guitar Festival. Guitarists will hit the Plaza Stage on Saturday, July 19, 2014, from 3 to 7 p.m. Presented by Waikiki Beach Walk and Outrigger Enterprises Group, with the support of Ke Kula Mele Hawaii, the annual festival celebrates the island culture as captured by the beautifully distinct sounds of the Hawaiian steel guitar.

“Hawaiian steel guitar is truly synonymous with our islands and we’re thrilled to be back at Waikiki Beach Walk to celebrate and showcase this wonderful instrument that was created right here in Hawaii,” said Alan Akaka, renowned Hawaiian steel guitarist, music teacher and director of Ke Kula Mele Hawaii. “It’s an honor and joy for all of us in the steel guitar community to participate in the Festival and we hope that both visitors and kamaaina will join us.”

In addition to Alan Akaka, the Festival will also feature master steel guitarists Greg Sardinha, Jeff Au Hoy, Bobby Ingano, Eddie Palama and Owana Salazar, who will be joined by Ke Kula Mele’s Makua Class and members of the next generation of Hawaiian steel guitar.

The following musical performances are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on the Plaza Stage:

3:00-3:25 p.m.             Greg Sardinha

3:30-3:55 p.m.             Eddie Palama

4:00-4:25 p.m.             Jeff Au Hoy

4:30-5:10 p.m.             Ke Kula Mele Makua Class and Next Gen

5:15-5:40 p.m.             Owana Salazar

5:45-6:10 p.m.             Bobby Ingano

6:15-6:35 p.m.             Alan Akaka with The Islanders

6:40-7:00 p.m.             “Jam session” – group performance with all musicians

“The Waikiki Steel Guitar Festival is just one of many wonderful events and activities that happen throughout the year at Waikiki Beach Walk,” said General Manager Conchita Malaqui. “Because we are part of the Outrigger family, we are committed to providing the very best experiences for all of our guests to enjoy when visiting this wonderful destination.”

The 5th Annual Waikiki Steel Guitar Festival is free and open to the public. Concertgoers can park with ease with valet parking for up to four hours available for $6.00 at the Embassy Suites® – Waikiki Beach Walk® (201 Beachwalk) and the Wyndham Vacation Ownership – Waikiki Beach Walk (227 Lewers Street) with any same-day purchase and validation from any Waikiki Beach Walk establishment. For more information, contact the Waikiki Beach Walk management office at (808) 931-3591 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Hawaiian Steel Guitar Masters

Alan Akaka – 2012 Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame honoree Alan Akaka has created his own sound and style through the inspiration of legendary steel guitarists like David Rogers, Benny Rogers, Jules Ah See, Billy Hew Len, David Keli‘i, Jake Keli‘ikoa, and his teacher Jerry Byrd. He has recorded with Genoa Keawe, Benny Kalama, Sonny Kamahele, Jerry Byrd, Barney Isaacs, Nina Keali‘iwahamana, Karen Keawehawai‘i, Owana Salazar and Kuana Torres Kahele as well as with Hawaiian music bands from around the world. Akaka finds joy in sharing Hawaiian music and culture with his audience. He travels throughout the world as an entertainer and a guest artist perpetuating Hawaiian music while stirring renewed interest in the unique, lilting sound of the steel guitar. Over the years, Akaka has launched Hawaiian music education programs on O‘ahu, Kaua‘i and Moloka‘i and has coordinated performances that generated more interest and brought much exposure to the Hawaiian steel guitar. In 2009, Akaka established Ke Kula Mele Hawai‘i, a school of Hawaiian music where creative and musical ideas can be developed, nurtured, and shared.

Greg Sardinha – has the reputation as the steel guitar player who has the ability to present old Hawaii with a contemporary twist. After years of playing in the background for many of Hawaii’s recording artists, Sardinha released his first solo album in 2006 entitled “HAWAIIAN STEEL VOL 4 – Artistry of Greg Sardinha.” The album reflects his artistry and versatility with the ukulele, guitar and Hawaiian steel guitar and creates a feel of unusual textures and interplay between all the instruments. He has showcased his Hawaiian steel guitar talent performing locally in Hawaii and on the mainland. Sardinha has recorded with many local, national and international artists including Ipo Kumukahi, Sean Na‘auao, Cyril Pahinui Band, Hawaiian Style Band, Kalapana, Na Leo, Darrin Benitez, Karen Keawehawai‘i, Cecilio and Kapono, Tim Coffman, Jim Messina, Renn Loa, and Richard Cheese Band and others. Sardinha has 6 “HAWAIIAN STEEL” CDs in collaboration with recording artists Alan Akaka, Casey Olsen, Bobby Ingano, Paul Kim, Duke Ching and others. Greg’s latest release, “STAINLESS—Steel Guitar Stylings of Greg Sardinha,” his second solo CD, was awarded the 2014 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Instrumental Album of the Year.

Jeff Au Hoy – Largely self-taught, Au Hoy has mentored under the likes of local steel guitarist Bobby Ingano and brings an “old soul” feeling when he plays his “Frypan.” His playing style reflects those of steel legends David Kelii, Billy Hew Len, Pua Almeida, and Benny Rogers. Jeff has recorded with the Brothers Cazimero, Jeff Teves Quartette, Pueo Pata, Aaron Sala and others. In 2004 he received a call to perform at Carnegie Hall with the cast of the Hawaii Calls show. Currently he performs with Cyril Pahinui at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach hotel. Although Jeff is a trained pianist and can play in a number of genres, his interest lies primarily in Hawaiian music of the 1940s and 50s.

Bobby Ingano – A protégé of the famous steel guitarist David “Feet” Rogers (Sons of Hawaii), Bobby Ingano learned from Rogers his gentle style of guitar and humble philosophy of life. His style of lap steel guitar is melodic, understated, and distinctly Hawaiian. In high school, Bobby became immersed in playing the “blues” and joined a band. When he was 18, he met a man who was one of the most notably influential people in his life — David “Feet” Rogers, original slide steel player of the renowned Sons of Hawaii. Feet instilled in Bobby the importance of playing with discipline and love. It is this wisdom that Bobby now shares with young steel guitar players and other young musicians. Now a highly sought after studio musician, Bobby can occasionally be seen touring on the mainland or Japan with the biggest names in Hawaiian music. Bobbyʻs list of honors includes a Grammy and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award.

Eddie Palama– A self-proclaimed steel guitarist, Eddie Palama found his first steel guitar in the public trash. After cleaning and adding strings to the instrument, Palama began to teach himself to play. After a year of extensive everyday practice, Palama joined the Musicians Union and became a professional steel guitar player. Palama has played the steel guitar with some of Hawaii’s greatest music legends including Gabby Pahinui, Atta Isaacs, Sonny Chillingworth, Genoa Keawe, Eddie Kamae, Danny Kaleikini, the Peter Moon Band, Olomana, Theresa Bright, Kihei Brown, Keith and Carmen Haugen, Sandwich Isle Band, Hawaii Loa and Pahinui Brothers. Palama has performed at various venues all over Hawaii and is currently playing with the band Hawaii Loa.

Owana Salazar – Singer, slack key artist and steel guitarist, Owana Salazar brings traditional Hawaiian, contemporary, and jazz together into her performances. Born into a musical family, Owana developed her talents at Kamehameha Schools, then became a music major at UH Manoa where she developed her voice and guitar accompaniment skills. In 1992, Owana was the only woman graduate in Hawaiian steel guitar from the “Master of Touch and Tone” Jerry Byrd.” Salazar has toured concert halls in Japan, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, and the mainland. An accomplished steel guitarist, Salazar is also a well-known her slack key (Kiho‘alu) performer and is featured on two Grammy winning slack key compilation CDs: “Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar” and “Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Vol. 2,” as well as on the Grammy nominated “Spirit of Slack Key Guitar” and the Hawaii Music Award-winning “Masters of Slack Key Guitar, Vol. 3.”

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 About Waikiki Beach Walk®

Waikiki Beach Walk®, to date the largest development in Waikiki’s history, has become the gathering place of modern Waikiki for visitors and residents to shop, dine, play and stay. Spanning nearly eight acres in the heart of Waikiki, this exciting entertainment district includes a vibrant showcase of more than 40 world-class retailers in an open-air, two-level center, an array of delicious restaurants and casual eateries, an outdoor entertainment plaza featuring live performances regularly, plus four accommodation choices. Waikiki Beach Walk is the consummate expression of Hawaii today – it is a place where people come to be enriched by warm hospitality, a colorful mix of cultures, and treasures from the land and sea. For information, visit www.waikikibeachwalk.com.

Developed in 2007 by Hawaii’s Outrigger Enterprises Group in partnership with American Assets Trust, Inc., Waikiki Beach Walk today is owned by American Assets Trust, Inc, a full service, vertically integrated and self-administered real estate investment trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AAT) with properties in the nation’s most dynamic, high-barrier-to-entry markets primarily in Southern California, Northern California, Oregon and Hawaii. Leasing and management of Waikiki Beach Walk is provided by Outrigger Enterprises Group, one of the largest and fastest growing privately-held leisure lodging and hospitality companies in the Asia-Pacific and Oceania regions. For more information, www.outriggerenterprisesgroup.com; www.americanassetstrust.com.

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