Musician Kazuyuki Sekiguchi is known for his role as the bass guitarist for Japanese rock band, Southern All Stars. He also performs as a solo ʻukulele artist. And if you live in Honolulu, you might have seen him perform before.
In 2009, Sekiguchi’s nonprofit, ʻUkulele Foundation of Hawaiʻi, launched the ʻUkulele Picnic in Hawaiʻi, a free all-day music event, which rebranded as the International ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi, last year.
On Sunday, July 20, the nonprofit will host its second annual International ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi at the Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand. Among the headliners is Taimane Gardner, a Hawaiʻi-born ʻukulele virtuoso, who just completed a tour in Europe. Other featured performers include Herb Ohta, Jr., and, of course, Sekiguchi. There will also be performances from ensembles from Canada and Japan, along with keiki from Roy Sakuma ʻUkulele Studios, ʻUkulele Hale, and more. Check out the full line-up of performers.
One of the goals of the ʻUkulele Foundation of Hawaiʻi, is to build an ʻukulele museum in Hawaiʻi in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Archives, which would include not just exhibit space but a concert hall and builders’ workshop.
The one-day music festival is free. In the past, this event has drawn 5,000 to 6,000 people. This year, organizers are anticipating a crowd of closer to 10,000. The festival is still seeking volunteers.
Previously, Roy and Kathy Sakuma hosted the ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi for more than 50 years. Now, Sekiguchi is reimagining that event. One thing that will be new this year is the gala dinner, which will also include a concert. Na Leo ʻUkulele: The Voices of the ʻUkulele, starts at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 18, at Rock-A-Hula within the Royal Hawaiian Center, and features performances from Taimane, Kalei Gamiao, Ian OʻSullivan, Brittni Paiva, and Kazuyuki Sekiguchi and friends. There will also be a silent auction. Tickets are $75. VIP admission includes dinner and is $170.
For Sekiguchi, picking up the ʻukulele started after he watched a movie called “The Purple Rose of Cairo” that starred Woody Allen with Mia Farrow.
“Seeing that, he thought it was cool, and he was like, ʻI could play that,’" said translator Isaac Peters for Sekiguchi, who spoke to Aloha State Daily in Japanese. “He went to an instrument store. The ʻukulele wasn't as popular as it is now. He went to one of the biggest music stores in Tokyo but there were only three ʻukuleles hanging [there].”
Sekiguchi bought one that was pineapple shaped, along with an instruction booklet and proceeded to teach himself how to play the ʻukulele.
“Playing the instrument, he liked the sound of it,” Peters explained.
That was about 35 years ago. In August of 2022, Sekiguchi released “Free-Ukes,” an album with 14 tracks of music, starring the ʻukulele. He has released a total of seven ʻukulele-themed albums and four ʻukulele-themed books.
While speaking with ASD on Wednesday, Sekiguchi's ʻukulele case rested on the table and a fan came up to say hello.
“I teach beginning ʻukulele at ʻUkulele Puapua at Sheraton Waikīkī,” she said, her ʻukulele earrings dangling as she shook her head to emphasize a point. “You are so good!"
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
