History Timeline:

2009

2008

Roy and Kathy Sakuma receive the SBA’s Business Award for Family-Owned Small Business on Oahu. Virtually a household name among island families, Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios, Roy Sakuma Productions and the Annual Ukulele Festivals includes family members James Kawano, Faye Azevedo, Wendy Yoshioka with their staff of 25 experienced ukulele instructors, all whom are former students.

- 2008

Roy and Kathy Sakuma receive the SBA’s Business Award for Family-Owned Small Business on Oahu. Virtually a household name among island families, Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios, Roy Sakuma Productions and the Annual Ukulele Festivals includes family members James Kawano, Faye Azevedo, Wendy Yoshioka with their staff of 25 experienced ukulele instructors, all whom are former students.

2007

The 16th Annual Keep it Hawaii Recognition Awards program, presents Roy Sakuma with the prestigious Kahili Award in the Individual category for Oahu.
Keep it Hawaii Recognition Awards Program recognizes individuals, community organizations and businesses across the State that offer an authentic portrayal of the Hawaiian culture, within an appropriate Hawaiian context, thus showcasing the true culture of Hawaii to visitors and residents alike, and helping to preserve and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture for future generations.

2006

Holunape’s long-anticipated CD, “He Olu”. Holunape is awarded the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for Group of the Year and Hawaiian Language Performance of the Year.

- 2006

The Hawaii Music Awards presents Holunape with the Traditional Hawaiian Album of the Year award.

2004

Roy and Kathy establish Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a charitable non-profit organization. Theme song “Come and Join Us” by James Ingram and Roy Sakuma, winner of the Hawaii Music Awards “Single of the Year.”

- 2004

Noel Okimoto’s “Ohana”, is the solo debut of Hawaii’s premier jazz drummer and one of Hawaii’s resident world class talents. ‘OHANA sweeps the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and also the Hawaii Music Awards “Jazz Album of the Year”. National jazz magazine, Downbeat, gave “Ohana” it’s best rating of 4 stars among all other jazz releases in Hawaii. Jazz Times Magazine quotes ” Noel Okimoto is a forceful swinger and creative player as well as a prolific composer and multi-instrumentalist… undeniable talented and incredibly versatile…”

2003

Roy and Kathy Sakuma are presented with the Family Business of the Year award by the University of Hawaii’s Family Business Center of Hawaii.

2001

150 Students perform at the Makaha Son’s annual summer concert, the Makaha Bash at the Waikiki Shell. Also featured are ‘Ale‘a, Amy Gilliom, Robi Kahakalau, Darlene Ahuna, Three Plus and Colon.

2000

Governor Ben Cayetano proclaims July 30 “Roy Sakuma Day in Hawaii.”

- 2000

The 30th Annual Ukulele Festival is the first public performance after the official opening of the brand new Bandstand in Kapiolani Park. Mayor Jeremy Harris presents Roy with the Award of Merit in recognition of over 30 years of contributions to the music and culture of Hawaii.

1995

Ka’au Crater Boys “On Fire” receives 2 Na Hoku Hanohano awards: Contemporary Album of the Year and Song for the Year for “Opihi Man”.

1994

Top Photo:
Grammy Award R&B winner James Ingram and Roy meet in 1993 while running at the University of Hawaii track field. James Ingram is in town as the special guest of the Hawaii Pro Bowl. A year later in 1994, James Ingram makes his first of many special appearances at the Ukulele Festival.

- 1994

Ka’au Crater Boys “Valley Style” is awarded the Na Hoku Hanohano’s Contemporary Album of the Year.

1991

Ka’au Crater Boys (Troy Fernandez and Ernie Cruz, Jr) debut “Tropical Hawaiian Day”, the first of 5 more hit recordings and become one of the hottest duos in contemporary Hawaiian music. Ka‘au Crater Boys become key figures in the resurgence of the interest in the ukulele.

1990

The Super Keiki are invited to perform at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA.

1986

Roy Sakuma Productions record label produces it’s first album, “Ohta San” and is awarded the Na Hanohano Hoku Best Instrumental Album.

1985

Ukulele tyke, Sheri-Lynn Cabbab, barely 4 feet tall with tiny hands, nimble fingers and a contagious smile is invited to perform in Japan’s TV special, ” Super Children of the World” which also featured skateboard phenomenon, Tony Hawk.

1975

The tall and small of it. Roy watches intently but protoge Dean Seo, 5, is having no problems at all
in their duet.

1974

Opening of the first of four Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios with the blessing of his mentor, Ohta San.

The Termites – Jason Mitsunaga, Dean Guzman, Milton Chun, and Michael Ganab are giant-talented ukulele youngsters with sophisticated techniques beyond their elementary school age years and popularly known for their Orange Exchange TV commercial.

1973

Roy Sakuma teaches handicap children at Jefferson Elementary School in Waikiki. Mark Yabui, Zachary Ceniza, Roger Somera, and Robert Germano, call themselves ESP (Extra Strumming Power) and are a hit at the 4th Annual Ukulele Festival performing “I Am What I Am” composed by Roy.

1972

Danny Kaleikini, Hawaii’s Ambassadorof Aloha and a legend in Hawaiian entertainment with his his 30-year run at the prestigious Kahala Hilton, volunteers every year as the Ukulele Festival master of ceremonies.

1971

With the support of Parks and Recreation Director Young Suk Ko and Moroni Medeiros, Roy Sakuma a City groundskeeper, organizes the 1st Annual Ukulele Festival. Young Suk Ko calls the Festival “one of the most successful and thrilling Parks and Recreation programs of the year.” 50 ukulele students perform.

- 1971

30 years later in 2001, over 80 ukulele students perform at the Annual Ukulele Festival.

1969

Roy Sakuma conducts ukulele classes with the Hawaii International Ukulele Club at the Paki Park Recreation Center in Waikiki. Volunteers his time teaching handicapped children at Jefferson Elementary School.

1966

Ukulele master, Ohta San, asks his stellar student Roy Sakuma to teach his classes while he goes to Japan to record and tour.