Ask anyone who plays the ukulele and they’ll agree it’s impossible to strum the friendly four-stringed instrument and be sad at the same time. In fact, it’s said that the ukulele is portal through which only happy people travel.
This Saturday, the Waikoloa Beach Resort will host the 17th annual Great Waikoloa Ukulele Festival from 11:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. This free event takes place at the Kings’ Shops and the Queens’ MarketPlace.
Nothing brings people together like music, and the Great Waikoloa Ukulele Festival has drawn audiences and ukulele artists from around the world since 2001 to celebrate Hawaii’s favorite instrument. In 1971, at a time when very few people were interested in the ukulele, Roy Sakuma organized the first Ukulele Festival on Oahu. It was Sakuma’s dream to produce a community concert to show people that the ukulele could be played as a serious solo instrument, in addition to being a fun rhythm instrument for background music. Today, he still directs the festival and is as passionate as ever about the ukulele.
“The ukulele has four strings, it’s not big, and it’s easy to handle,” said Sakuma. “There is no limit to what you can play. There are so many songs. My wife has a beautiful saying that when you hold an ukulele; it’s just like holding a baby in your arms. It has such a beautiful sound, and that sweet and charming sound that is grabbing attention around he world, not just in the United States. It’s almost like an ukulele explosion around the world.”
Ukuleles have made a comeback in the past few years. This friendly, easy to learn instrument was born in Hawaii more than a century ago and is now winning over the hearts of people everywhere. It’s small, affordable, and, fun. Ukuleles were designed for everyone to play. When families gather in the Hawaiian tradition of kanikapila, the emphasis is on sharing over performing, and participating over perfection. It’s about making music with, and for, each other, and Sakuma hopes the festival will inspire new ukulele aficionados.
“One of the exciting things this year is a free ukulele workshop at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Paniolo Ballroom at 10 a.m.,” said Sakuma. “It’s open to anyone who has an ukulele and can strum three simple chords — C, F, and G7. That’s all you need to know.”
During the workshop Sakuma will teach participants how to play two or three songs. After the workshop, the participants are invited to join he and his wife on stage at the Kings’ Shops and Queens’ MarketPlace too play along with them. Famed ukulele player Willie K will also join everyone on stage for a jam session.
“Willie has performed at our festivals on Oahu the last three years and people from all over the world come with their ukuleles to jam with him and have a blast,” said Sakuma. “We’ll also be giving away 11 ukuleles donated by different sponsors. Kamaka Ukulele are donating a 100-year anniversary Kamaka Ukulele to be given away the festival. That is going to be a treasure because they don’t make them anymore. It’s really fantastic.”
The mission of the Ukulele Festival is to bring laughter, love and hope to children and adults throughout Hawaii and the world through the music of the ukulele, and the Sakumas are doing just that.
“I hope people come out an support this wonderful entertainment and see our program. I share simple messages of hope and inspiration to the audiences. It’s just little differences of compassion all with ties into the ukulele,” he said.
Info: www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org ■
