Friends of HIMELE

Friends of HIMELE recognizes and honors those individuals who contribute selflessly towards HIMELE's events and activities. These are volunteers who devote their time, energy, and resources in support of HIMELE's mission to promote and support Hawaiian music, culture, and the Hawaiian steel guitar.

Friends of HIMELE includes those who have supported HIMELE and Ke Kula Mele School of Hawaiian Music including students, parents, or other individuals who are aware of and believe in HIMELE's efforts.

Ron and Andrea Tolentino

pc-Colleen Ricci

Parents of Ke Kula Mele students often contribute their time and resources to school activities and events where their students are performing. Some go the "extra mile" to provide help in their areas of expertise. Ron and Andrea Tolentino are two such people.

Parents of NextGen Alumnus Alexis Tolentino, Ron and Andrea were very supportive of Alexis' steel guitar journey prior to her graduating to Alumnus status, while providing their time and energy in support of HIMELE's steel guitar festivals statewide. They were also very supportive of Ke Kula Mele Hawaii, the educational affiliate of HIMELE, participating in every Ke Kula Mele concert rehearsal and concert performance throughout Alexis'musical career.

Collectively, the Tolentinos have helped out in almost every way possible, including ground transportation, festival logistics, festival store, photography, and videography. Andrea also performed "Momma Bear" activities, ensuring that all female Ke Kula Mele performers had their hair styling and accessories done "just right" while Ron also provided musical assistance on bass and ‘ukulele for some performances.

Andrea was a festival logistics facilitator for many outer island festivals. For the Maui steel guitar festival beginning in 2013 she helped with festival logistics coordination, distributing food vouchers, collecting musician W-9 tax forms, overseeing volunteer assignments, and disbursing performer compensation. She also coordinated festival t-shirt activities, from design to distribution and in support of the festival store. She coordinated HIMELE volunteer assignments and resort food service for eligible festival musicians and staff.

Ron provided his expertise in videography, helping to video record festival performances prior to livestreaming. He also assisted with transportation for outer island festival school visits and airport shuttles. An avid bass player, Ron also shared his bass playing during many of Alexis' performances.

The family relocated to Nevada after Alexis' graudation to provide her her with opportunities to further her education.

Ron passed away in November, 2022, due to a medical issue.

Andrea and Ron at the 2016 Maui Steel Guitar Festival
Ron videographing the 2017 Maui Steel Guitar Festival
Andrea helping Alexis prepare for her performance at the 2015 Maui Steel Guitar Festival
Andrea with Bryant Neal at the 2014 Maui Steel Guitar Festival
Ron Videographing the 2017 Hawai‘i Island Steel Guitar Festival
Andrea with Duane Padilla at the 2013 Maui Steel Guitar Festival
Andrea and Sandy Sardinha at the 2018 Kaua‘i Stetel Guitar Festival
Ron videographing the 2014 Ke Kula Mele Spring Concert
Andrea fixing Mālie Lyman's hair at the 2013 Ke Kula Mele Winter Concert
T-shirts for sale at the 2017 Kaua‘i Steel Guitar Festival
Ron Tolentino videographing the 2017 Waikīkī Steel Guitar Festival

Slideshow photo credits: Don Touchi-1,2,5,11; Addison Ching-3,7; Sharon Ching-8,9; Colleen Ricci-4,6; Dave Kolars-10

HIMELE is very appreciative of the support the Tolentinos have given throughout the years and takes this opportunity to designate Ron and Andrea Tolentino as official Friend of HIMELE.

Previous Friends of HIMELE Features

2024 November - Sandy Sardinha