WHO/WHAT: Tony Group Autoplex presents the 44th Annual Ukulele Festival on O‘ahu.
Ukulele Festival Hawaii was established in 2004 by Roy and Kathy Sakuma who have dedicated their life’s work to preserving interest and spreading the joy of the ‘ukulele through free ‘ukulele festivals, lessons, community events, college scholarships and the donation of ‘ukulele to the underprivileged.
Ukulele Festival Hawaii’s biggest contribution is the presentation of free annual ‘ukulele festivals on O‘ahu, the Big Island of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i and Maui. The ‘ukulele unites everyone in friendship and appreciation by the simple and pure melodies of this remarkable instrument.
Local performers include Herb “Ohta-san” Ohta, Danny Kaleikini, Willie Kahaiali‘i (a.k.a. Willie K), Raiatea Helm, Nick Acosta, Aidan James, the Roy Sakuma Ukulele 700-piece Ukulele Band and the Kalama Intermediate School Ukulele Band from Makawao, Maui.
Guest performers from California, Illinois, France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan (including the Kanazawa Junior Ukulele Orchestra, pictured at right), Korea, Taiwan and Thailand will also perform.
WHEN/WHERE: Sunday, July 20, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Kapi‘olani Park.
COST: Admission is free. Parking is available at Kapi‘olani Community College with shuttle service running from 7 a.m-6:30 p.m. Food booths, ukulele displays and other booths, including bouncer rides for keiki are also available.
