This convention was held at the Queen Kapi'olani Hotel, Honolulu
Wednesday, April 27 - Friday April 29, 2011

 

We're all set for the HSGA Honolulu 2011 Convention! The dates are Wednesday, April 27 through Friday, April 29, and we have reserved the Peacock Room of the Queen Kapi'olani Hotel for HSGA daytime activities. If you've never been to Hawaii, I can tell you it's the experience of a lifetime with plenty of time to catch Hawaiian steel guitar playing around Waikiki and see the sights around O'ahu.

 

The Peacock Room has been renovated with new carpet and a large window with a Diamond Head view on the east side where the sun comes up in the morning. The bar on the outside of the Peacock Room also is newly renovated, facing the swimming pool area. Much renovation is going on now at thehotel and will be continuing in April during the convention.

 

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Step 1 - Reserve your hotel room directly with the hotel before March 27

 

The Queen Kapi'olani Hotel is offering rooms at a special rate for HSGAers from April 20 through May 6. A credit card is required to secure your reservation. Reserve now! After March 27, rooms are not guaranteed. The following rates are for a single or double room for up to four persons: City view rooms are available at $85; Diamond Head view rooms, $95; and Ocean view rooms, $110. Add around 14 percent in local taxes to these prices. The front desk staff will try their best to meet your request for a specific room or bed type, subject to availability.

 

If you have questions, contact hotel representative Merl Bautista at the numbers below or email reservations@queenkapiolani.com.

 

 

Step 2 - Register with HSGA by March 15

 

 

Step 3 - Pay your Registration Fee to HSGA by March 15

 

 

If you decide to attend at the last minute or you are coming from overseas and don't want to deal with currency exchange until you arrive, you will be able to pay your convention fee at our Peacock Room reception desk.

 

The convention fee is $120 per adult and $60 for children ages 5-10, which includes an American or Hawaiian lunch buffet each day of the convention and covers some of our convention costs. The registration fee does not cover the cost of your hotel room and the fee applies even if you decide to take your lunches elsewhere — this is part of our agreement with the hotel and why we're getting the discounted rates.

 

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Would you like to perform on stage?

 

If you're planning on performing, complete the bottom portion of the convention form and mail it to the address shown on the form ASAP - playing slots are filled on a first come, first served basis. Plan to perform 25 minutes on stage, and please bring two sets of chord charts for your backup players.

 

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Planned Off-Site Activities

 

We are holding our annual concerts at the Waikiki -Kapahulu Library from 1-3 PM on April 30 and the Annual Lei Day HSGA Concert at Kapi'olani Park on Sunday, May 1 from 10 AM to 3 PM. We will need to schedule performers in advance for both shows - please email Kamaka Tom at gktom007@yahoo.com or call 808-392-4583.

 

We would also like to do a day trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center on O'ahu's north shore at some point during convention week. Steve Cheney and sons play steel guitar in three separate all-Hawaiian luau shows at the center. There is choice of a daytime tour, or luau show with dinner followed by a big Polynesian revue in a big amphitheater - estimated cost, up to $200 per person for the complete tour/dinner/show package. Standard tours can be arranged through hotel's tour agent. Once the size of the group and date has been determined, I could contact Steve Cheney to make sure his favorite backup musicians are performing.

 

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Convention Schedule

 

Tuesday, April 26

9:00-11:00 AM - Pre-registration near the bar area fronting the Peacock Room in the Queen Kapi'olani Hotel. Recommended! Check in early and avoid the Wednesday registration lines.

 

Wednesday, April 27 - Friday, April 29

Click here to download the event schedule below in PDF format.

	Tues 26 April	Wed 27 April	Thurs 28 April	Friday 29 April
	Queen Kapi'olani Hotel Peacock Room 3rd Floor	Queen Kapi'olani Hotel Peacock Room 3rd Floor	Queen Kapi'olani Hotel Peacock Room 3rd Floor	Queen Kapi'olani Hotel Peacock Room 3rd Floor
8:00 am		Registration Stage Preparation	Registration Stage Preparation / Sound Check	Registration Stage Preparation / Sound Check
9:00 am		Opening Remarks	Motoyuki Suzuki	Ivan Reddington
9:30 am		9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Featuring Steel Guitar Students of Kumu Alan Akaka	Jim Hassal	Doug Smith
10:00 am	Tues 26 April • 10am-12pm Pre-Registration in the Peacock Room Come early and avoid the rush on Wednesday!		Don & Susan Kellett	Ron Carter
10:30 am		Jack Aldrich	Hideko Kobayashi	Kunihiko Anzawa
11:00 am		Kiyoshi "Lion" Kobayashi	Don "Kona" Woods	Katsutoshi Ogata
11:45 am		Buffet Luncheon Hawaiian Menu (Ticket Required)	Buffet Luncheon American Menu (Ticket Required)	Buffet Luncheon Hawaiian Menu (Ticket Required)
1:15 pm		Hideki Ida & Friends	Duke Kaleolani Ching	Roberto Alaniz
1:45 pm		Yoshinori Nihachi	Margie Mays	Rolf Hansen
2:15 pm		Chise Yamagishi	Kashio Hashizume	Akira Saito
2:45 pm		Pau/Finish	Pau/Finish	Pau/Finish

NOTE: Subject to Change Without Notice

 

Saturday, April 30

Annual steel guitar concert at the Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library, 1-3 PM. The library is three blocks north of the Queen Kapi'olani Hotel. Admission is free.

 

Sunday, May 1

Annual Lei Day Celebration in Kapi'olani Park. Live music will be provided by HSGA members and friends from 10 AM to 3 PM at the tent and stage area near the winners' display for the Lei-Making Competition. Admission is free.