“We would like to send our heartfelt mahalo to our donors, along with the Hawai’i Community Foundation and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement for their integral role in our campaign and supporting our mission of bringing smiles back to the faces of Maui’s keiki and families through the ‘ukulele,” said Roy and Kathy Sakuma.

HONOLULU — Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a nonprofit charitable organization established by Roy and Kathy Sakuma, is launching a ‘Ukulele Gift of Hope campaign to place ‘ukulele back into the hands of children and families on Maui who lost their homes and personal possessions during the recent wildfires.

More than 800 ‘ukulele will be donated to various organizations, institutions and community groups on Maui to assist with distribution to the affected children and families, so that they may find healing and comfort through the sound of music and through the ‘ukulele.

“For more than 50 years, our mission has always been to bring laughter, love and hope to everyone through the music of the ‘ukulele, which is why we want to show our love and support to the Maui community through our ‘Ukulele Gift of Hope,” said the Sakumas. “The need for emotional healing is an integral part of recovery, and we hope the joy of the ‘ukulele will add to the healing process for everyone impacted directly on Maui, especially our keiki.”

In partnership with the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, the majority of the ‘ukulele will be shipped to the Kākoʻo Maui Relief & Aid Services Center in Kahului, where the resource hub will oversee distribution to those impacted by the wildfires.

“Aloha is more than just a word, as it embodies a way of life deeply rooted in the soul of Hawai’i, and over the past few weeks, I have had a front-row seat to that Aloha, and the generosity from all over has been nothing short of overwhelming,” said Kūhiō Lewis, president and chief executive officer of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

“We would like to send a heartfelt mahalo to both Roy and Kathy for opening their hearts to the people of Maui and lifting their spirits through music and the ‘ukulele.”

The ‘Ukulele Gift of Hope campaign commences with the Maui Arts & Cultural Center during the week of the 16th annual Maui ‘Ukulele Festival in October, where the Sakumas will visit and present the remaining ‘ukulele donations to children and families on Maui at various sites.

The first stop will be at Baldwin High School on Oct. 5 to provide a motivational talk to students, followed by the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa on Oct. 6 to support families and children of employees.

The campaign continues at the ‘Ukulele Workshop at the MACC on Oct. 7 before culminating at the 16th annual Maui ‘Ukulele Festival at the MACC on Oct. 8.

Adding to the campaign are sales of vintage T-shirts from past Ukulele Festival Hawaii events, with all proceeds benefiting the Maui Food Bank. Festival t-shirts from as early as 1999 will be sold for the first time, allowing buyers to be part of history by collecting these souvenir items and support recovery efforts for Maui.

Since its final and 52nd festival in 2022, Ukulele Festival Hawaii continues its charitable purpose by promoting and preserving interest in the ‘ukulele through education and supporting ‘ukulele events and projects throughout Hawai’i and around the world.

For more information, visit www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/donate.