The Ukulele Boys — Peter DeAquino and Garrett Probst (right) — will judge the contest with Derrick Sebastian.

KAANAPALI — Ukulele players and Hawaiian music enthusiasts are invited to strum, pick and sing their way down to Hula Grill Kaanapali for the restaurant’s 15th annual Youth Ukulele Players Contest on Saturday, Sept. 17.

The contest will feature some of the island’s top amateur ukulele players competing for prizes and recognition.

The competition will feature keiki from kindergarten through 12th grade separated into solo and group divisions.

Judging the contest will be renowned Grammy- and Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning musicians Peter DeAquino, Derrick Sebastian and Garrett Probst — all of whom are also prodigies of the contest. 

Registration will take place from 8 to 8:30 a.m., followed by a keiki ukulele workshop and the competition at 10 a.m.

“Our ukulele contest has been part of Hula Grill since the very beginning, and it has been awesome to see how much it has grown over the last 15 years,” said Orrin Cross, general manager at Hula Grill. “Some of these kids come back every year, and it’s really rewarding for us to see how much the contest means to them. Music plays a huge role in Hawaiian culture, and it’s great to see Maui’s youth carrying it on.” 

Advance registration is required to participate in the contest. Entry forms are available at Bounty Music, Mele Ukulele and via www.hulagrillkaanapali.com.

All entries must be submitted via mail or fax by Saturday, Sept. 10. The fee to participate is $15 and includes breakfast, lunch and a Hula Grill souvenir. All contestants will receive prizes. Call Hula Grill Kaanapali at 667-6636.