Daniel and I and the Super Keiki were honored to participate in the  442nd Infantry Banquet at the  Pacific Beach Hotel Grand Ballroom.  Our highlight was  performing their unit’s fight song, “Go For Broke” which came out great.

And while Kristi-Lin, Kiara-Lin, and Nick performed during lunch, the audience gave us their full attention.   Thank you very much 442nd Infantry – the most highly decorated regiment in the history of the United States Armed Forces!

Rescheduled due to the Tsunami warning last month,  ”Maile’s Dream-A Celebration of Differences” was  held at Washington Middle School. Cindy Ogata’s dream was that her daughter, Maile, be treated like everyone else despite physical differences.  So the 10 year-old, who has a rare condition called Apert syndrome was among the performers along with our very own one-arm ukulele extraordinaire Nick Acosta.

What a triumph to see unexpected challenges turn into unexpected blessings!  Maile and Nick were joined by friends Ivy, Locke, and Logan.

Roy’s got a big job holding up that sign!

The Wipe Out group ready to begin their performance.

Kathy Sakuma and ukulele winner, Jake Wakahiro.

Jane Windberg of Bellevue, WA wrote:

“I was at the concert on Sunday at Pearlridge Mall and was extremely impressed by the number of students Roy has instructed. It is absolutely wonderful to see so many young people play a Portuguese instrument, so popular in Hawaii, and have such passion for what they learn. I also thought the young man who was featured (played with his elbow) was quite extraordinary! He should be on Oprah or something….he deserves national attention for his skill. Great job!!”

Mahalo to all the participants and congratulations to the ukulele winners!

Taylor Keomaka, Miles Quemuel-Labrador, Jake Wakahiro, Sofia Furtado, Kino Sawchuk, and Kai Huffman.

We had a fun time at the 2nd Annual Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii at Kakaako Waterfront Park. It was the perfect, sunny day.

Our very own Super Keiki children’s group did great, Candyce (JOY) wowed the crowd with her amazing talent and lightning quick fingers and Daniel Baduria (son of the late ukulele virtuoso Donald Baduria) dazzled the crowd with his rendition of  Stars And Stripes.

And it’s always fun hanging out with our mentors – Bill Tapia, Herb “Ohta-san” Ohta, Holunape, Manoa DNA, Iwao, and the Sekiguchi Band.

Nick playing Wipe Out with Super Keiki’s Cody & Locke.

Ivy and Candyce jamming to In The Mood.

Joy (Candyce & Nelly with Daniel on bass), featured Candyce on Cumana and 12th Street Rag!

Super Keiki – (*from left to right)Ivy, Nathan, Tamlyn, Nick, Cody, Logan, Locke

It’s been a little over 2 weeks and I’m doing very well recuperating from open-heart surgery at the Queen’s Medical Center.  I had a hole in my heart and  am so grateful to the Cardiac Unit at the Queen’s Medical Center  – my cardiologist Dr. Raymond Itagaki, surgeon Dr. Dean Nakamura, ICU nurse Chris Isagawa and all the other fantastic nurses who took care of me.  They are  “no ka oi”!

To our friends, family and students ( I miss being in class with you) -  thank you for your  visits, cards, flowers, phone calls and  meals.  I told my wife that everyone must be feeding us their best recipe!  I have a great appetite (some things never change!) and now can walk for 30 minutes 2x/day.

To our ohana of instructors and staff -  thank you for taking over the operations of the studio during our prolonged absence.   Great job!

Kathy and I have been blessed with everyone’s love, support and prayers  in the healing of my heart.

With love and gratitude,

Roy

See Wayne Harada’s article in the Honolulu Advertiser:

url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&ved=0CAkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthe.honoluluadvertiser.com%2Farticle%2F2010%2FFeb%2F07%2Fil%2Fhawaii2070312.html&rct=j&q=roy+sakuma+and+open+heart+surgery&ei=d650S8DoFo6knQeDqImyCQ&usg=AFQjCNE7wNMizuLq_w8senEi1L5fulG_tg

From all of us at Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios, we wish you love, joy, peace and hope. Happy New Year!

Looking back on 2009…

Roy visits Mililani Elementary School.

Student, Blake Urada, wins the “I Am What I Am” T-shirt.

Super Keiki at Hawaii Theatre.

Kathy with Super Keiki, waiting backstage at Hawaii Theatre.

American Lung Association’s Breathe Concert at the Hawaii Theatre.

Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios at Paradise Optical’s Grand Opening.

Paradise Optical opens up at Waimalu Shopping Plaza in Aiea.

Hawaii Books and Music Festival.

Roy Sakuma is presented The Mary Kawena Puku’i Award by the West Honolulu Rotary Club.

Children of Japan are falling in love with the ukulele and Hawaiian music.  Roy, Kathy and Sam Ahia visit Ukulele Poe Poe students of Japan.

Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studio staff.

Mahalo card presented to Roy and Kathy from Koaloha Ukulele at the 39th Annual Ukulele Festival.

What a turnout of 200 children – full of energy, fun, and excited anticipation.  Whoops and whistles of the appreciative crowd quickly calmed the nerves of students experiencing  their 1^st performance at the Ala Moana Centerstage.  And the old-timer students with numerous performances under their belts, were stellar role models.  Great job kids!    Kudos to our staff – Lee, Lopaka, Kasi, Melynn, Heather, and Nelly for organizing the students, getting them on stage and keeping up the positive energy!

*photos courtesy of James Miura

As was expected, Roy, did a super job yesterday! I told him that he does well because he speaks from his heart . . . !

Before we started our meeting, the principal of Momilani Elementary School, Doreen Higa, who is a member of our Rotary Club, introduced her guest Locke Nishihara who is one of her students. She is also an ukulele student at Roy’s Ukulele Studios. Anyway, she had brought her ukulele with her to hopefully get an opportunity to talk to Roy, which she did, and Roy took the time to work with her prior to his presentation to our Club and as only Roy can do it, presented an impromptu ukulele treat for us . . . 2 songs, which came across so well!

Most obviously, Roy’s presentation was inspiring, perhaps more so because he positively reaches out. He gets the attention of his audience . . . the children, when he makes his presentations at the schools. To me, kinda, “chicken-skin” stuff! And, he kept telling us that he cannot sing . . . he can sing . . . .here he is . . .

He presented “I am What I Am” tshirts – one to Nishihara and the other to a Rotarian, the winner of the “named that tune” game.

And, here is Locke, Roy and Principal Doreen Higa of Momilani Elementary School.

Roy just has a “way” with kids!