2022 Performers

Roy Sakuma

Since 1974 Roy & Kathy Sakuma have brought the joy of the ‘ukulele to thousands of students in Hawaii with the Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios. Roy’s teaching methodology is unique and revolutionary, allowing anyone to learn and play music with the ‘ukulele. 

In 2004 Roy & Kathy established Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a nonprofit organization, to continue their life’s work of preserving interest in the ‘ukulele and spreading the joy of the instrument. Ukulele Festival Hawaii produces free ukulele festivals and provides scholarships for Hawaii’s youth. 

As a producer of award winning albums, Roy & Kathy Sakuma have brought the versatility of the ukulele to a much wider audience. The Roy Sakuma Productions record label is home to an eclectic, refreshing collection of musical styles. Award winning artists include Ka’au Crater Boys, Ohta San, Herb Ohta Jr., Noel Okimoto, and Holunape.

Sakuma continues to dedicate his life to helping children heal by speaking about his struggles, saying that it is easier to strengthen children than it is to fix a broken adult. He uses music, including songs he has written, to help children accept themselves and find their inner strength.

Herb “Ohta San” Ohta

Ohta-San has been the most prolific and prominent ukulele artist, a true pioneer and credited for elevating the ukulele to a solo instrument of virtuoso status. Ohta San’s diversity and style reflect his lyrical sense and is respected as the height of ukulele artistry. In 1964 “Sushi” became a #1 hit in Hawaii and was later released by Warner Bros. Records. A highlight of his career is “Song for Anna” written expressly for him by famed French composer and conductor Andre Popp who invited him to record with the Paris Symphony Orchestra. Originally released in Hawaii in 1973, it was rereleased on A&M Records, and became an international hit in 1974, selling over six million copies.

Danny Kaleikini

Danny Kaleikini, Hawaii’s Ambassador of Aloha, has supported the Ukulele Festival since 1972. A legend in Hawaiian entertainment drawing audiences from around the world for well over 40 years, Danny is the spiritual and physical embodiment of aloha. Through his music, cultural promotion, historical awareness and charity, he touches the hearts of millions.

Jake Shimabukuro

Jake Shimabukuro was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i and is a Japanese/American ‘ukulele player and composer known for his high-energy and enthusiastic strumming.

Shimabukuro’s mom started teaching him on a standard sized Kamaka ‘ukulele at the age of four. Shimabukuro now performs and records on a tenor Kamaka ‘ukulele. At age six, Shimabukuro started taking lessons at Roy Sakuma’s ‘Ukulele Studio under the instruction of Tami Akiyama (Omuro). His other teachers include Herb Ohta Jr., Tracey Terada and Roy Sakuma.

He rose to fame by becoming one of YouTube’s most popular artists, performing his arrangement of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, watched by millions. He's toured with Bela Fleck & the Flecktones (2002, 2005, 2006) and recorded on the band's Little Worlds (2003) album. He also collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma for a single track on the Grammy-Award winning cellist's album Song's of Joy & Peace (2008). Also joining Jake in the recording studio was renowned pop singer Cyndi Lauper. Jake is also featured on Ziggy Marley's Grammy-Award winning Love is My Religion (2006), as well as on three CDs and two DVDs by Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band.

His most recent project features his trio, including bassist Nolan Verner and guitarist Dave Preston playing an eclectic mix of originals, pop covers, and Hawaiian music. Their debut album, "Trio", was released in 2019.

Herb Ohta Jr.

International recording artist Herb Ohta, Jr., is considered to be one of today’s most prolific `ukulele masters. Influenced by Jazz, R&B, Latin and Brazilian music, he puts his stamp on Hawaiian music by pushing the limits of tone and technique on this beautiful instrument. The son of `ukulele legend "Ohta-san," he started playing at the age of three, and teaching at the age of nine. He now shares the music of Hawai‘i and the beauty of the ‘ukulele with people around the world, performing and conducting instructional workshops.

His recording debut was in 1990 on his father’s recording. Since then, Herb has recorded on over 50 recordings with 13 Solo and 13 duet recordings to his credit. With 16 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations, he has won a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for "ʻUkulele Nahenahe” in 2011, “Pure ʻUkulele” in 2013, Instrumental Song of the Year in 2013, “ʻUkulele Friends” in 2015, “ʻUkulele Friends The Sequel in 2018, and “ʻUkulele Hula” in 2019. Herb is also a four-time Hawai‘i Music Award Winner as well. Herb has released 3 national releases in Japan, 1 in Taiwan, co-authored two ‘ukulele instructional books with Grammy Award artist Daniel Ho that was released in Japan and the United States, and in 2015 Herb published a songbook of his arrangements in Korea.

Now in his 30th year in the music business, Herb is well on his way to matching his Father’s legacy.

Paula Fuga

Paula Fuga is a Na Hoku Hano Hano Award musician on a mission. Though many play music for the platitudes or acclaim, Paula plays music for a culture, spreading the thoughtful and evocative voice of the Hawaiian people across the world. Not content to be merely a widely respected artist, Paula has taken on the mantle of cultural ambassador---using her talent as an instrument to help bring about positive social change and instilling the Hawaiian culture in the generations to come.

NUE

NUE (Nā ‘Ukulele ‘Ekolu) is Bryan Tolentino on tenor ukulele, Halehaku Seabury on baritone ‘ukulele and Kama Hopkins on bass ukulele. These three Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winners, rooted in Hawai’i’s rich ukulele and Hawaiian music culture, come together to showcase their ukulele artistry and vocal stylings creating a very unique and pleasing sound.

Natalie Ai Kamauu