KAANAPALI – The seventh annual Maui Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival will be held on April 24-26 at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel.

Presented by the nonprofit Arts Education for Children Group and produced by Ke Kula Mele Hawaiian School of Music, this three-day event brings together master steel guitar players and aficionados from around the world for a celebration of the music created on the Hawaiian steel guitar.

The festival is free and open to the public. It features performances, presentations, workshops and kani ka pila (jam sessions) focused on the Hawaiian steel guitar and its importance in the Hawaiian music genre.

In addition, cultural activities such as hula, lei making and ukulele instruction take place throughout the weekend.

Master steel players headlining this year’s festival include Alan Akaka, Jeff Au Hoy, Kiyoshi “Lion” Kobayashi from Japan, Eddie Palama, Ed Punua, Owana Salazar, Greg Sardinha and Maui steel guitarists Ross Ka’a’a, Joel Katz and Geri Valdriz.

For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.mauisteelguitarfestival.com, find the event on Facebook or call (808) 283-3576.