Outline
Support From Hawaiʻi’s ʻUkulele Community
The event’s transformation is made possible with the support and advise of Roy Sakuma,co-founder and host of Ukulele Festival Hawaii for 52 consecutive years.
“On behalf of Ukulele Festival Hawaii, we congratulate Kazuyuki and the ʻUkulele Foundation of Hawaii on celebrating 15 years of sharing their love and passion for the ‘ukulele with Hawaii and the world,” said Roy and Kathy Sakuma. “For 52 years, it has been our mission to spread laughter, love and joy through the ‘ukulele and we are thrilled that Ukulele Foundation of Hawaii will perpetuate the ukulele through their newly named ʻUkulele Picnic Presents International ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi.”
Through shared passion and respect, the friendship between Sekiguchi and Sakuma exemplifies the unifying power of music and their shared vision of bringing people together from all over the to celebrate Hawaiʻi’s beloved instrument.
About Kazuyuki Sekiguchi and Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii
Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, a founding member of Japan’s Southern All Stars, has left an indelible mark on the music scene, shaping the band’s distinctive sound and captivating audiences across generations. While his contributions to Southern All Stars are legendary, Sekiguchi’s musical journey took a new turn in 1991 after his fateful meeting ʻukulele master, Herb Ohta, sparking a deep passion for the ʻukulele.
Inspired by Ohta’s mastery, Sekiguchi traveled from Japan to Hawaiʻi to see Ukulele Festival Hawaii for the first time, setting the stage for his lifelong ʻukulele passion. It was there that he sought lessons from Sakuma, solidifying Sakuma’s pivotal role as his mentor. Sekiguchi’s deep respect for Sakuma’s expertise has remained unwavering throughout his career.
In 2009, Sekiguchi’s ʻUkulele Foundation of Hawaiʻi launchedthe free “Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii,” with it’s mission of “bringing people together through ʻukulele.” This marked a significant milestone in his dedication to promoting ʻukulele culture. Annually attracting over 5,000 attendees from around the world, it was a celebration to appreciate the beauty of the ʻukulele and express gratitude and respect for all Hawaiian music.
In 2022, his commitment to spreading the joy of ʻukulele music culminated in the formation of the 1933 Ukulele All Stars featuring esteemed artists such as Takagi Boo, Nomura Yoshio, Oginome Yoko, YANAGIMAN, Kimiko Wakiyama, and YuHatakeyama. Through his multifaceted career, Sekiguchi continues to inspire and influence musicians and fans alike, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of music.
About Roy Sakuma
Innovative, inspirational, warm, funny and kind are all words used to describe Roy. In over 55 years of teaching the ʻukulele, he has been all of these things and more in his role as teacher, producer, promoter and inspiration to thousands of students and the island community.
In the 1960′s, as America’s youth latched onto the larger, louder, more swaggering guitar, the little instrument from Hawaiʻi was relegated to the attic. Roy knew the instrument’s true worth. And so for more than 50 years, with his wife Kathy, and their staff of instructors and supporters, his mission has been to spread the joy of the ukulele teaching students and promoting the annual Ukulele Festival Hawaii, the world’s first and original ukulele festival.