March 24 is Ukulele Day in Maui Nei

George Kahumoku will be one of the featured artists at the upcoming Sam's Upcountry Jam and Ukulele Music Festival. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The Mayor will proclaim this Saturday, March 24, 2012 as “Ukulele Day” in Maui County.

The proclamation is in honor of the 1st Annual Sam’s Upcountry Jam and Ukulele Music Festival taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Samuel E. Kalama Intermediate school campus in Makawao.

“The ukulele is a part of our culture, past and present,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa. “It is good that we take time to celebrate the ukulele and encourage our young people to grab an instrument and keep our music alive.”

The jam showcases the talents of Maui school students as well as professional musicians including George Kahumoku and Benny Uytake.

Other performers include Andrew Molina, Mele Fong, Richard Tom, and the Maui Ukulele Pops Band.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own ukulele and jam along.