Steel Guitar Hall of Fame Archival Collection Relocates to Hawai'i State Archives
The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame is moving its archival collection, which includes recordings, photographs, historical instruments, and plaques honoring inductees, to the Hawai'i State Archives in Honolulu. This move marks a significant step towards establishing a permanent physical home for the institution. Michael Scott, president of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, and Hawai'i State Archivist Adam Jansen announced the relocation. While funding for a dedicated facility is still pending and no construction date has been set, the Hawai'i State Archives will provide temperature-controlled storage, stringent security, and professional stewardship for the materials. The archives will ensure the preservation of these items in perpetuity, with plans for full indexing, digitization, and broad online access. The decision to house the collection in Hawaii is rooted in the instrument's origins, as Hawaiian steel guitarist Joseph Kekuku is credited with discovering and refining the technique in 1885.