Malie Lyman, Alexis Tolentino, Keen Ching, and Sid Pang, are four of the Ke Kula Mele Hawaii Next Generation steel guitarists that range in age from 9 years old through high school. These Hawaiian steel guitarists are called "Next Gen" because they represent the next generation of steel guitar players. Next Gen players have appeared individually and as a group at Ke Kula Mele Hawaii presentations and at the Maui and Waikiki Steel Guitar Festivals.

10-year old Malie is one of the Ke Kula Mele Next Generation steel guitar players. Multitalented, she can dance hula, sing, and play several other instruments including the 'ukulele. Malie has been playing for only a few months but her interest and enthusiasm has allowed her to develop her playing ability considerably. It's obvious she enjoys entertaining, whether it's doing the hula, singing, or playing a musical instrument. But her musical talent and abilities are no coincidence.

Her mom is Pomaika'i Lyman and Malie is the great granddaughter of Aunty Genoa Keawe. When school and time permit, she appears with the Keawe 'Ohana at their Waikiki Beach Marriot Resort and Spa weekly show, dancing, singing and playing her steel guitar.

Malie showed interest for the steel guitar several years ago by getting up on stage during intermission and pretending she was playing uncle Alan Akaka's steel guitar. Her interest persisted, and she was finally able to realize her dream when she start her lessons with uncle Alan.

Alexis is 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. She has received training in the Hawaiian steel guitar for three years. She is a Next Generation steel guitarist at Ke Kula Mele Hawaii School of Hawaiian Music and a recipient of a music scholarship from the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association. She also trained in the upright bass since she was in the 7^th grade and now plays the upright bass in her school's orchestra.

Alexis has always been interested in Hawaiian music and culture. At age five, she started playing the 'ukulele and dancing hula. She started with and still belongs to the Ka Hale I o Kahala halau. When she's not involved with music, Alexis enjoys going to the beach, hanging out with family and friends, cooking, baking, drawing and arts and crafts.

Keen, 15 and a sophomore in high school, started in music at age 7 with the piano. He was drawn to the steel guitar, because of its sound, after seeing it on a television show featuring Hawaiian music. After two years, Keen finally persuaded his dad to get him a steel guitar.

According to Keen's dad, it has been Kumu Alan Akaka who has made Keen's dream a reality. Over the past 3 years Kumu has imparted upon Keen the ability to make that instrument produce the sounds he heard on the television show.

Through Ke Kula Mele and his Hawaiian Ensemble class at school Keen continues to pursue learning other musical instruments including the ukulele, acoustic and bass guitar.

Keen challenges himself to pursue excellence not only musically but also spiritually, academically, athletically and by having fun. He belongs to the youth group at his church and actively volunteers his service to the church. Academically he constantly pushes himself to assimilate as much information he can from his classes. He has participated with the math, underwater robotics, and medieval clubs in co-curricular activities. Athletically he is an integral part of club and school teams in bowling, soccer, and track and field. He is in the final stages of achieving his black belt rank in Shotokan Karate. For fun he pursues mastering the art of the yoyo and the latest electronic games.

Sid is one of The Next Generation steel guitar players at Ke Kula Mele Hawaii School of Hawaiian Music. He's 16 and a junior in high school. He's been playing the steel guitar for about two years.

He became interested in the steel guitar after attending a public awareness workshop hosted by Ke Kula Mele at the Hawaii State Art Museum. He also likes jazz music and plays the saxophone in the school band. His other activities include playing on lacrosse and tennis teams and surfing.

Sid's ambition is to become a surgeon and play music. His goal is to form his own group of musicians and play gigs.

Jimmy Wong, Luana Macariola, Bob Beard, and Robert Antonio are four of the adult Ke Kula Mele Hawaii steel guitarists that will appear at the Waikiki Steel Guitar Festival. Adult students come from a variety of backgrounds including professional entertainers, members of the tourism and travel industry, homemakers, government and military, engineers, and retirees. Adult students have appeared individually and as a group at Ke Kula Mele Hawaii presentations and at the Maui Steel Guitar Festival.

Bob describes his introduction to music: "Having exceeded a half-century, and looking at 6 decades of life is an eye-opening thing. Who knew it could all go by this quickly?

"Almost 40 years ago I picked up a guitar (still have that original one) and actually learned to play it fairly well, although I actually never really knew what I was playing. You could show me something, I could play it well, but if someone asked me what chord that was, or what key I was in I had no idea at all. I played guitar in the same sense that a parrot 'talks', i.e., Making the sounds with no idea of what I was doing. And I have 7 years of ukulele with almost the same skill level."

In 2012, Bob attended a social event hosted by Ke Kula Mele and had his introduction to the Hawaiian steel guitar. Soon after he began to research the instrument and eventually acquired one. After ten days of struggling with the instrument he figured out that he needed some help and turned to Ke Kula Mele.

Bob was the owner and president of Oahu Dive Center and a certified Master SCUBA Dive Trainer. He currently works at the Pacific Beach Hotel where he is the manager of the Oceanarium. His job consists of managing the water quality, fish, rays and Mermaids at the 280,000 gallon indoor aquarium. In his off-time he surfs, paddles, SUPs, and spends inordinate amounts of time with the steel guitar in an attempt to master the instrument. Bob says, "If I can do that and also have someone say, 'Eh, not too bad!' when I play the steel I think I might be satisfied with life."

Robert Antonio is a General Engineer with the Army Public Works at Wheeler Army Airfield in Wahiawa. When asked why he took up the steel guitar, Robert replies, "I was interested in finding a hobby or activity to occupy myself in retirement and I liked the slow easy sounds of the Steel Guitar.

"On my 20 mile drive to work each day, I listened to the Hawaiian music on Hawaiian105-KINE and periodically heard Ke Kula Mele being mentioned if one wanted to learn a Hawaiian music instrument. One day, I called and spoke to Alan Akaka just to check out what he had to offer. I didn't intend to start until retirement which was still a few years away but he persuaded me to join his new class of seniors immediately. That was 22 months ago."

Robert's goal is to master this unique instrument and be able to play slow melodic music of all kinds.