Message from the founder

The 3rd International Ukulele Festival of Hawaii is scheduled for July 12, 2026. Two days earlier, on July 10, the 13th International Ukulele Contest Finals and Awards Ceremony will take place in Hawaii. Online preliminary applications for the contest will open on January 5, 2026. (Please refer to the separate document for application details.)

Children carry limitless potential, yet I believe they also shoulder more stress than adults often realize. It is my hope that the ukulele not only brings comfort to their hearts but also opens doors to extraordinary opportunities. Participating in a contest gives them the chance to set personal goals, dream toward those goals, and work with dedication to achieve them. It takes tremendous courage to perform before others and be evaluated. However, taking that brave first step will undoubtedly have a positive impact on their future lives. I sincerely hope that this period of striving toward a goal becomes a deeply meaningful and fulfilling experience for them.

Of course, for adults who are skilled ukulele players, I wholeheartedly encourage you to challenge yourselves on the world stage. You will surely rediscover the beauty and joy of the ukulele and share that spirit with people across the globe.

We look forward to welcoming many participants.

Kazuyuki Sekiguchi
President of Ukulele Foundation of Hawaii