About

About Ukulele Foundation of Hawaii

The Ukulele Foundation of Hawai`i is a non profit organization (501(c)3 public charity) whose primary objective is to support music in education, as well as various charities and arts throughout Hawai`i through collective interest and awareness of the ukulele.
The mission of the Foundation is to establish an ukulele museum that will facilitate social, educational and cultural activities in a friendly, Hang Loose environment that perpetuates happiness and joy of the ukulele.

Since its inception (2007), the Foundation has been pursuing its goal through following projects:

100 Ukulele Projects
We have been working with the local elementary schools, Salvation Army and Palama Settlement to be the recipient of 100 ukuleles every year. Since 2016, the Foundation has donated 200 ukuleles to these public organizations as we help broaden their understanding of ukulele music through activities included an educational workshops.

The International Ukulele Contest
The annual International Ukulele Contest has been a great stepping stone for aspiring ukulele learners here in Hawaii and around the world to bring attention to their talent as a musician and the ukulele instrument as a whole.

Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i
Since 2009, the Foundation has been producing one of the largest ukulele events in Hawaii. This picnic style all-day long annual music event entertains audience with ukulele music performed by top musicians from Hawaii and from other countries such as Japan, Thailand, Korea, Taiwan, and Australia. Also, local ukulele students will have an opportunity to show their talent in front of large audience.

The event continues to go strong, and will be celebrating its 10th year in 2018. Backed with the full support of the local ukulele industry and musicians, Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i continues to spread the “Aloha” spirit every year with every breath sung and every string strummed. The one-day event now draws 5,000 to 6,000 visitors every year.

For 10 years, our projects have been providing educational opportunities to children and youth to learn ukulele. These children are finding friends through ukulele, and sharing happiness and joy of life with ukulele. They are also helping to build community filled with love of music. By helping children and youth to learn ukulele today, future of our lives will be enriched.

Chairman of the Foundation

We do a lot to make all the children of the world happy!

Aloha,

The `Ukulele Foundation of Hawaii invites you to be a part of the `Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii, to be held at Kaka`ako Waterfront Park. Talented musicians from Hawaii and Japan will perform on the hilltop stage overlooking Diamond Head, Honolulu Harbor, the ocean and mountains.

Upon arrival you will be reminded how blessed you are to live in Hawaii. Admission to the picnic is free. Along with the main stage non-stop entertainment, exhibitors will show ukulele related exhibits and merchandise and food vendors will be selling ono food and drink. Parking is available and free shuttle service will be provided from Waikiki. There will be inflatables for the kids and all are encouraged to bring mats for lawn seating.

This event now spreads Hawaiian messages of”Peace”,”Friendship”, and “Ohana” to all over the world. Please join and and enjoy peaceful time and incredible beauty of Hawaii.

My dream is to contribute to creating peaceful and joyful society by spreading out the emotional value of the Ukulele and its music.The Ukulele Museum and its activities in Honolulu will enable us to make my Life-time dream come true.We want to do to the place that there is a ukulele when children visit here by the class trip as a fieldwork, is a person who teaches playing the ukulele, and the history of the ukulele can be studied.

Kazuyuki Sekiguchi

The Ukulele Museum

It is possible to use multipurpose, and with the communication of the person and the ukulele.

多目的に使え、人やウクレレとの触れ合いがある場所です。

Culture & History: まるでウクレレの中に入りこんだようなワクワク展示ホール。ウクレレの奥の深さを実感できる歴史の散歩道。そんなMuseumにしたい。

Live Concert: ミニライブ、ウクレレスクールの発表会、ツーリスト向けのワークショップ等が開催されるオープンライブホール。多目的に楽しく使いたい。

Edutainment: ウクレレやハワイアンミュージックとふれあう事ができる子どもたちのフィールドトリップの場。その場で皆が弾けるようになるスピードレッスン体験コース。自分の演奏風景をDVDに録音・録画して持ち帰ることができれば楽しい思い出のオリジナルPVに。

Joyful Experience: 自分オリジナルのウクレレ販売やウクレレ貸出もしているウクレレショップ。多くの人や情報が集まる楽しくて癒される観光スポットにしたい。

Foundation History

Since its incorporation in October 2007, the foundation has hosted six big fundraising events.

February 12, 2017 – 9th `Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i
February 14, 2016 – 8th `Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i
February 8, 2015 – 7th `Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i in Big Island
May 25, 2014 – 6th `Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i
February 10, 2013 – 5th `Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i
February 12, 2012 – 4th `Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i
February 13, 2011 – 3rd `Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i
February 14, 2010 – 2nd `Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i
December 6, 2009 – `Ukulele Pa`ina at Pipeline Cafe to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children
February 14, 2009 – 1st `Ukulele Picnic in Hawai`i
December 2, 2007 – Christmas `Ukulele Pa`ina to benefit the children of Soweto, South Africa
May 6, 2007 – `Ukulele Pa`ina to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children
October 2007 – `Ukulele Foundation of Hawai`i incorporation