KAANAPALI – The ninth annual Maui Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival will be held on April 28-30 at Kaanapali Beach Hotel and Queen Ka’ahumanu Center.

This free event features master Hawaiian steel guitar players from around the world performing and teaching the instrument thought to be indigenous to Hawaii. Headliners include Alan Akaka, Bobby Ingano, Kiyoshi “Lion” Kobayashi, Tadashi Arakawa, Yoshiyuki Endo, Tetsuya Ishiyama, Patti Maxine, Greg Sardinha, Duke Ching, Joel Katz and Geri Valdriz.

Celebrities Kimo Kahoano and Kathy Collins will co-emcee both Friday and Saturday evening ho’olaule’a programs. Each will feature a different lineup of players in concert. Kanikapila (jam sessions) follow evening performances, and the public is welcome to participate (bring your own instruments).

Open stage performances take place during both days with music performed by Hawaiian steel guitar bands from Hawaii, the U.S. Mainland and Japan.

Saturday workshop topics will include Beginning Hawaiian Steel Guitar, Steel Guitar Tips, Steel Guitar Styles, Hawaiian-Style Singing and Hula.

On Sunday, Hawaiian steel guitarists will entertain from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Kaanapali Beach Hotel’s award-winning Champagne Brunch, the only event during the festival that has a fee. For reservations, call 667-0124.

New for 2017 is a series of performances featuring select steel guitarists from Hawaii and Japan at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center from noon to 5 p.m. on April 30.

An exhibit curated by steel guitarist Valdriz will feature vintage lap steel guitars (circa mid-1930s). The guitars will be on display at Kaanapali Beach Hotel and Queen Ka’ahumanu Center. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.mauisteelguitarfestival.com.