HONOLULU—The world’s first and original ‘ukulele festival has partnered with the original chocolate-covered Macadamia confectioner to share laughter, love and hope and Hawaii’s gift to the world this summer. Ukulele Festival Hawaii today formally welcomes Hawaiian Host as its new 2021 title sponsor, merging two brands with rich, long histories in the Hawaiian Islands. The virtual Ukulele Festival Hawaii will be broadcasted on YouTube Live on Sunday, July 18, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. HST.
“We are thrilled and honored to welcome Hawaiian Host, our new 2021 title sponsor, as we join together in bringing the gift of aloha to the world,” said Festival Co-Founders Roy and Kathy Sakuma. “We are inspired as the Festival moves forward into a new global era, and we are grateful as we reflect back on our past sponsors who have made this all possible.”
Ukulele Festival Hawaii’s partnership with Hawaiian Host will include gifts for all participating entertainers and performers, along with a special discount code for virtual festival attendees that will be announced at a later date. For a special video announcement, click on the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qJ-pk3R1t8
“Hawaiian Host is so proud to be the title sponsor of this year’s Ukulele Festival Hawaii. We’re so excited to partner with the festival because in our own ways, we very much have the same goals — to bring laughter and love to Hawaii and beyond — we just have different ‘instruments,’” shares Margie Jacinto, Director of Corporate Communications for Hawaiian Host Group. “Spreading the aloha alongside the Ukulele Festival Hawaii is truly an honor.”
Ukulele Festival Hawaii previously announced the appointment of Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel as its new festival co-organizers who are producing the virtual festival this year along with all of the online pre-events. The Sakuma’s continue to oversee the festival in advisory roles.
“We are very excited to welcome Hawaiian Host as the new 2021 title sponsor of Ukulele Festival Hawaii and look forward to working with them on presenting an extraordinary day of ukulele and music this summer,” said Chee and Maisel. “Together we look forward to sharing the spirit of aloha through sound and taste with people around the world.”
Starting in April, Ukulele Festival Hawaii will host monthly mini virtual events leading up to the festival in July. All events will be hosted at Ala Moana Hotel and broadcasted live on YouTube.
Hawaiian Host Presents Ukulele Festival Hawaii: Local Artist Showcase
Featuring Hawaii’s top luthiers Kamaka, KoAloha, Ko‘olau, and Kanile‘a
Artists include: Bryan Tolentino, Kelly Boy DeLima, Abe Lagrimas Jr., David Kamakahi, Walt Keale, Kala‘e Camarillo, Honoka Katayama, and Mika Kane.
Sunday, April 11, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. HST
http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org
Hawaiian Host Presents Ukulele Festival Hawaii: Workshop Day
Featuring instructors Jake Shimabukuro, Roy Sakuma and Neal Chin
inviting participants to pick up their ‘ukulele and play along
Sunday, May 16, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. HST
http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org
Hawaiian Host Presents Ukulele Festival Hawaii: International Day
Featuring groups from around the world, keiki groups and other artists
Sunday, June 13, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. HST
http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org
Hawaiian Host Presents 51st Annual Ukulele Festival Hawaii
Featuring Jake Shimabukuro, Herb Ohta Jr., Bryan Tolentino, Brittni Paiva and more
including the Roy Sakuma Ukulele Band with keiki students
Sunday, July 18, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. HST
http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org
Ukulele Festival Hawaii looks forward to welcoming attendees back to Kapi‘olani Park in 2022. Online packets featuring song sheets from the virtual mini events and festival will be available for purchase with a suggested donation to support Ukulele Festival Hawaii to keep the festivals free to the public and to support its scholarship program.
For more information about the festival and its partnership with Hawaiian Host, visit http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org.
