Hawaiian melodies under the sun evoking Elvis Presley, Andy Williams and Queen Lili’uokalani – go, it’s free

Dreams come true
In blue Hawaii
And mine could all come true
This magic night of nights with you.

Head along to one of the most charming events on the city’s calendar, Hong Kong Ukulele Festival, tomorrow with Elvis’s words in mind. Even if you’re not a ukulele player you will be invited to join in with the kids strumming for fun as well as the professional ukulele and guitar players.

This lovely event is tomorrow (27 July) from 3:00 pm to 9: 00 pm at the Central Harbourfront Event Space. It is co-organised by Hong Kong Ukulele Association, which says it aims to bring happiness and joy to everyone through music and Hawaiian culture.

Aloha aku no, aloha mai no. I give my love to you, you give your love to me.

One of the stars tomorrow will be Island Mama Yvonne, also known as Yvonne Siet, the mistress of ceremonies and events coordinator who divides her time between Hong Kong and Hawaii. She will be joined by musicians playing Ohana, Kamaka, Kaloha, and Kanile’A ukuleles. Children from schools and bands around Hong Kong will be singing and strumming on Central Venue Management’s stages in the shadow of International Finance Centre next to the Eye tourist wheel on the waterfront.

There will be displays on site of Hawaiian handicrafts and fake tattoo workshops. Entrance is free and you will find it near Tamar Park.

This is the moment
I’ve waited for
I can hear my heart singing
Soon bells will be ringing

from the Hawaiian Wedding Song by Andy Williams

The co-organiser,  UKEHK was founded in 2009 by several people who love the ukulele and Hawaiian culture. At the time, not many people in Hong Kong knew about the ukulele, so they became the first group of people to introduce the instrument to Hong Kong.

When they first started, they were just several people playing music on the ukulele. The ukulele is a small, easy-to-learn instrument. It is not only easy to play, it also brings a part of the Hawaiian culture and spreads love among people. Because playing the ukulele spreads Hawaiian culture, encourages cooperation, forms friendships, and strengthens parent-child relationships, people have started to learn to play the ukulele. What was started by ten people slowly became the event it is today: the Hong Kong Ukulele Festival.