Open Stage

The Open Stage program featured steel guitarists from Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i Island, Washington state, California, and Alaska. NextGen steel guitarists also performed.

Participating in the Open Stage program were Barbara Bones, Vickie Van Fechtmann, Rhonda Murotake, Mark Gaponoff, Aarom Benolkin, Daniel Toft, and NextGen steel guitarists Enosa Lyman, Isabella Bertelmann, Makamae Lyu-Napoleon, and Pono Fernandez.

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• A good group showed up for the open stage performances.
• The open stage emcee was Kimo Kahoano.
• Barbara Bones kicked off the program.
• Barbara Bones from Kauaʻi.
• Some performers used their own accompaniment from their Smartphone plugged into an amplifier.
• Vickie Van Fechtmann from Puna.
• Rhonda Murotake from California.
• Rhonda sang and performed on her Rickenbacher Golden Hawaiian.
• Alan Akaka shared a few words with the audience.
• Mark Gaponoff was backed up by Joseph Zayac and Bobby Ingano.
• Mark Gaponoff from Washington state.
• Mark sang and played his steel guitar.
• Joseph Zayac, Bobby Ingano, and Mark Gaponoff.
• Joseph Zayac and Bobby Ingano.
• Aaron Benlokin from Alaska.
• Aaron's backup musicians included Larry Holu, Joseph Zayac, and Bobby Ingano.
• Bryan Jipping also provided backup for Aaron.
• Daniel Toft from Kohala.
• Daniel Toft.
• NextGen steel guitarist Makamae Lyu-Napoleon.
• Makamae Lyu-Napopeon performed "Hanalei Moon."
• Backup for NextGen steel guitarists was provided by Helene Woodward and Joseph Zayac.
• Backup for NextGen steel guitarists was also provided by Alan Akaka and Kaipo Asing.
• NextGen Isabella Bertelmann and Makamae Lyu-Napoleon perform a steel guitar duet of "Beautiful Kahana."
• NextGen steel guitarist Isabella Bertelmann.
• Isabella Bertelmann performed 'Iʻll Weave A Lei of Stars For You."
• NextGen Enosa Lyman.
• Enosa with Kaipo Asing and Alan Akaka.
• Enosa also sang while he played his steel guitar.
• Enosaʻs steel guitar was gifted to him by Bobby Ingano who decorated the steel guitar with decals from Walmart.
• NextGen steel guitarist Pono Fernandez.
• Pono Fernandez.
• Helene Woodward, Joseph Zayac, Isabella Bertelmann, Makamae Lyu-Napoleon, Bobby Ingano, Alan Akaka, Enosa Lyman, Kaipo Asing, Kimo Kahoano, and Pono Fernandez.

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Photography by Addison Ching ©2023 by HIMELE.