Maui ‘Ukulele Festival Scheduled for Oct. 11
Photo courtesy Aubrey Hord.
The 10th Annual Maui ‘Ukulele Festival is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 11, from 1 to 6 p.m. in the A&B Amphitheater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.
The free annual festival is a full afternoon of ‘ukulele music. Bring your lawn chairs or roll out a blanket on the lawn and enjoy some of the islands’ favorite ‘ukulele players.
Renowned ‘ukulele advocate and teacher Roy Sakuma will serve as Master of Ceremonies.
This 2015 festival offers a line-up of ‘ukulele musicians covering a wide spectrum of styles and flavors: Nick Acosta, Nelly & Daniel Baduria, Da Ukulele Boyz, Kamakakehau Fernandez, Paula Fuga, Richard Ho‘opi‘i, The Hula Honeys, Aidan James, Herb Ohta & Nando Suan, Taimane, the Maui ‘Ukulele Pops Band (a local kūpuna group) and more.
There will also be performances by some talented Maui student musicians—the S.E. Kalama Intermediate ‘Ukulele Band, under the direction of Benny Uyetake; the Seabury Hall Hawaiian Ensemble led by Jon Toda; and students from the previous day’s ‘Ukulele Workshop (see “‘Ukulele Workshop” below).
Door prizes will be given away throughout the afternoon, including several finely crafted ‘ukulele provided by Bounty Music, Kamaka ‘Ukulele, Koaloha ‘Ukulele, Ko’olau/Pono ‘Ukulele, Kanile‘a/Islander ‘Ukulele, Kala ‘Ukulele and Mele ‘Ukulele.
There will be displays of made-in-Hawai‘i arts and crafts, plenty of ‘ono-licious island food, and a variety of beverages available for purchase. (No outside food, beverages or coolers will be allowed.)
‘Ukulele Workshop
A free ‘Ukulele Workshop will be held at The MACC on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the McCoy Studio Theater. Registration starts at 9 am. This workshop is conducted by Roy and Kathy Sakuma for students of all ages, from child to adult. Lessons are designed for beginning and intermediate players the only requirements are that a student can hold C, F, and G7 chords. Students should bring their own ‘ukulele, notepaper, and a pencil.
No pre-registration is necessary. All participants will be eligible to enter a drawing to win a new Kala ‘Ukulele, and will be invited to participate in a performance during the festival on Sunday, playing a song they learned in the workshop.
The 10th Annual Maui ‘Ukulele Festival is presented by Maui Arts & Cultural Center and ‘Ukulele Festivals Hawai’i. Sponsors for this free event are Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, National Endowment for the Arts, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, County of Maui – Office of Economic Development, KPOA/Pacific Media Group, the Sheraton Maui, Speedishuttle/Arthur’s Limousine, with additional support from Kamaka ‘Ukulele, KoAloha ‘Ukulele, Kanile’a/Islander ‘Ukulele, Ko‘olau/Pono ‘Ukulele, Kala ‘Ukulele, Mele ‘Ukulele and Bounty Music.
Since 2006, the Maui ‘Ukulele Festival has featured Herb Ohta Sr. (Ohta-San), Jake Shimabukuro, Holunape, Raiatea Helm, Manoa DNA, Paula Fuga, Richard Ho‘opi‘i, Brittni Paiva, Kelly Boy Delima, Derek Sebastian and more, including local kūpuna and keiki players, ‘ukulele door prizes, food booths, displays of made-in-Hawaii arts and crafts and more.
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