Friends of HIMELE

Linda Mentzer

Originally from the Greater Boston area, Linda began working in the computer technology industry at just 17. She studied engineering and business in downtown Boston and spent over 40 years in various engineering and marketing roles, working for both large and small tech firms before retiring in 2014. Her work took her across the U.S. and around the world, exposing her to a rich variety of cultures and perspectives.

Linda's connection to HIMELE began through her husband, Dan, who started taking steel guitar lessons from Alan Akaka. As they attended festivals together, Linda naturally became more involved. When Dan began performing and giving presentations on the history of the steel guitar in Waikīkī and schools across the islands, Linda was often behind the camera, capturing the moments.

Her support grew into hands-on volunteer work-helping with festival merchandise sales and eventually taking over sales operations when longtime HIMELE volunteer Sandy Sardinha stepped down. Linda is always there at the festival merchandise booth to help festival attendees purchase items, answer questions about the festival, or just talk story between performers.

Today, Linda and Dan split their time between Waikīkī and Alton, New Hampshire, where they enjoy summers on the lake. Their time in New England also brings them closer to family and grandchildren in Massachusetts and New Hampshire-something Linda cherishes deeply.

In Waikīkī, Linda fills her days with long beach walks, reading by the pool, visits to the zoo, happy hours with friends, and trying out new restaurants and local spots. She's known among her friends for her love of cooking and her willingness to share both food and good times.

In New Hampshire, she shifts gears to kayaking, fishing, wildlife watching, and hosting friends and family – often with a plate of fresh East Coast seafood close at hand.

Slideshow photo credits: Don Rostow-1,3,5,6,7,9; Don Touchi-4,8; Addison Ching-2

Linda is a strong believer in HIMELE's mission to restore the Hawaiian steel guitar to its rightful place in the islands' musical landscape. "Twenty years ago," she says, "you could hear lap steel everywhere – Duke's, the Marriott, Halekulani. Now it's rare."

She knows the key to reversing that trend lies in reaching the next generation – getting young people excited, trained, and ready to carry the tradition forward.