Herb “Ohta-san” Ohta inspired and challenged him; the late Eddie Kamae, who died Jan. 7, fascinated and encouraged him. So it’s no surprise Roy Sakuma, himself an ukulele wizard, will salute his heroes at the two events that comprise the annual Ukulele Festival organized by Sakuma.
The first is a pre-festival dinner gala, 5:30 p.m. July 14, at the Hibiscus Ballroom of the Ala Moana Hotel. The main attraction is the Ukulele Festival, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 16, at Kapiolani Park Bandstand.
“Ohta-san changed my life,” said Sakuma, referring to his troubled high school years 50 years ago when he lacked direction and goals. “Ohta-san took me in as a student, and my focus on the ukulele kept me out of trouble. My dream became to be better than him, but the funny thing is, the more I learned, the more I realized how great my teacher was.”
Today Sakuma still is “in awe of (Ohta’s) musicianship and artistry. He opened the door for me to learn, to teach and, with his blessing, open my first ukulele studio.”
Sakuma dubs his mentor the “master of the ukulele.”
Then there’s the Kamae factor.
“I was fascinated by Eddie’s technique and innovative picking style,” Sakuma said. “Back then Eddie played Latin, Spanish, jazz. I recall Ohta-san sharing how much Eddie had taught him; they are icons of the ukulele.”
Once, Ohta invited Kamae to one of Sakuma’s lessons to observe.
“I was so nervous, as Herb had me play the song he had given me that week, ‘Yusef Lateef Blues.’ Eddie encouraged me that I can do it. His words were a big help. Eddie communicated the heart and soul of the ukulele, the aloha of this tiny instrument. Through his generous spirit, Eddie contributed more goodwill, inspiration and beauty to our culture than can ever be measured.”
The global popularity of the humble ukulele is undeniable, Sakuma said, thanks to the mounting list of uke ambassadors traveling all over the world sharing the joy of the instrument then and now.
“My wife (Kathy) says it’s because you hold the ukulele gently to your heart like a baby in your arms, and you feel instant joy,” Sakuma said. And the uke brigade spans from grade-school kids to senior citizens. “The ukulele brings smiles, healing and hope.”
Acts such as Ka‘au Crater Boys, Kapena, Peter Moon and Jake Shimabukuro have kept the ukulele tradition alive. …
SHORTS OF SORTS
>> Fourth-coming: Local composer Alvin Okami’s “America’s Song” will receive a proper patriotic boost when it is performed at a Fourth of July celebration at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The New Jersey-based Harmony Show Choir, led by Ed Fiscella, producing artist director of Mainstage Center for the Arts, has “adopted” this anthem thanks to a long-standing alliance with Okami, founder of KoAloha Ukulele. …
>> Bright auditions: The I’m a Bright Kid Foundation, staging “The King and I” starting Sept. 8 at Paliku Theatre, will hold auditions Wednesday and Thursday at Paliku: children’s roles, 6 to 7 p.m.; adult roles, 7 to 9 p.m. Dance auditions will be 7 to 9 p.m. July 9 at Danceforce Windward Mall. Registration necessary, plus prep work. Details: Allan Lau at allan@imabrightkid.org. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
