Celebrating the Ukulele on the Big Island

The 40^th Annual Ukulele Festival at the Waikoloa Beach Resort took place over the first weekend of March.

Performers entertaining the crowd at Queen’s Marketplace

Roy Sakuma held an open ukulele workshop at the Marriott Hotel bringing people of all walks of life and all ages together to enjoy the day’s festivities, and to learn more about this beloved instrument.

Roy Sakuma teaches; Randy and Ohta San-Hawaiian virtuosos; kapuna teaching

Queen’s Marketplace was filled with people enjoying the free music of the masters—Ohta San, Roy Sakuma and his keiki class, Na Kupuna o Kona Ali’i with their blend of Hawaiian music, and jazz to name a few.

And of course, Danny Kaleikini was there as the Master of Ceremony. The kupuna were out in full force – teaching lei making with fragrant plumeria, ukulele strumming, and umeke (gourd) making. The area was filled with laughter and music.

The ukulele (jumping flea in Hawaiian) was brought to Hawaii by the Portuguese. Made of beautiful native woods by local wood workers. With its prolific availability, the ukulele is now played by young and old around the world. Want to have some fun? Pick up a ukulele and start strumming!