Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School

A school demonstration team with NextGen steel guitarists Ethan Goore and Pono Fernandez visited the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School to provide a presentation about the Hawaiian Steel Guitar showing students why the instrument is important to Hawaiian music and culture, providing musical selections that include the steel guitar, and giving students hands-on experiences with the instruments. Ethan and Pono were joined by Alan Akaka and Natan Goore who provided musical backup.

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• Members of the presenteation team included Alan Akaka, Ethan Goore, and Pono Fernandez.
• Pono checks his tuning as Alan talks to the group.
• Ethan changes his tuning as Alan looks on.
• All NextGen steel guitarists play multiple instruments. Ethan plays backup ʻukulele as Pono plays the steel guitar.
• Thursdayʻs presentation team included parent chaperone Natan Goore who helped out on the U-bass.
• Teacher Elias Gonzales assists a CMKS Chorus and ʻUkulele Band member as the group rehearses their Saturday festival presentation.
• Ethan plays the steel guitar while Pono provides backup ʻukulele.
• Two steel guitairsts play at the same time with Natan Goore on bass and parent chaperone Jake Fernandez on ʻukulele.
• The presentation included steel guitar selections by the presentation team.
• Ethan and Pono provide CKMS students information about the steel guitar.
• Ethan and Pono watch Alan simulates a steel guitar slide bar on his 6-string guitar.
• Pono retunes for the next selection. Many of the musical selections are played in different steel guitar tunings.
• Pono plays the steel guitar.
• A steel guitar duet by Ethan and Pono.
• Alan Akaka led the presentation.
• Pono observes as a CKMS student tries out the steel guitar.
• Ethan explains the steel guitar fretboard to another CKMS student.
• Ethan shows the students how to place the finger picks. Photo by Natan Goore.
• Pono shows this student a fret position on the steel guitar. Photo by Natan Goore.
• The presentation team with Alan Akaka on guitar.
• Ethan watches as Pono plays the steel guitar.
• Ethan and Pono.
• Alan Akaka.

Back to Gallery: 2020 Festival

Photography by Alan Akaka unless otherwise noted. All photos ©2020 by HIMELE.