8th Annual International ‘Ukulele Contest & Hula Show Set

‘Ukulele players of all ages and performing abilities will once again be able to participate in the International ‘Ukulele Contest and Hula Show on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019.

The contest is just part of two day of events planned for ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai‘i scheduled to return Feb. 9, and 10, 2019. Courtesy photo.

Aspiring musicians can enter by uploading an unedited video to YouTube with an entry form from the ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai‘i website. It costs $20 to enter online and entries are currently being accepted through Friday, Nov. 30, 2018.

The 8th annual International ‘Ukulele Contest and Hula Show is part of the ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai‘i, a two-day event taking place in Honolulu. The contest features amateur ‘ukulele players from across the world competing for prizes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a hula show to follow.

“Over the years the International ‘Ukulele Contest has had the opportunity to showcase and raise the volume for some truly talented musicians,” said ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai‘i Creator and Producer Kazuyuki Sekiguchi. “This includes names like local girls Honoka & Azita, who have performed around the world and our 2016 winner, Feng E who recently performed on the The Ellen DeGeneres Show. I look forward to listening to and meeting this year’s finalists and to see them continue to take this beautiful instrument to the next level.”

Entries are being accepted in four categories including: solo keiki ages 3 to 11 years old; solo ages 12 to 18; solo ages 19 and older, and group (more than two performers). Six finalists from each division will be selected to compete at the live competition on Feb. 9. Qualified finalists will informed by email by Jan. 1. First place for each division will receive an ‘ukulele from Kanilea. The top performer will receive a prize valued at $1,000.

This year’s ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai‘i will feature iconic ‘ukulele musicians from across Hawai‘i and the world, Feb. 9 and 10. The eleventh annual event celebrates the event’s mission to construct the world’s first ‘ukulele museum in the islands as a symbol of world peace.

For more information about the International ‘Ukulele Contest and ‘Ukulele Picnic in Hawai‘i, go online.