Looking for a fun family outing this coming weekend?  Do you love the music of the ukulele?  Do you want to know more about this unique instrument popular in Hawaii, as well as on the mainland, and in Japan, London, Paris, Korea and Thailand?  Here is your chance to hear some of the best ukulele musicians in the world, and then catch a great hula show.

The Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii will host the 6th Annual International Ukulele Contest and Hula Show 2017 on Saturday, February 11 from 10 am to 3:30 pm at the Royal Hawaiian Center Royal Grove Stage, 2201 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815.  The Royal Hawaiian Center, located nine miles from Honolulu International Airport, spans three blocks on the beach side of Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki’s main street.

The ukulele contest is scheduled from 10 am to 1:20 pm with the hula show to follow.  There are three categories, 13 years and younger, 14 years and older and groups.  The best players will be selected from each category and awarded with a high class ukulele.  The best original song will be aired on KZOO for one year.  And the best player(s) will join the all-star ukulele players on stage at the Ukulele Picnic in Hawaii on Sunday, February 12 from 9 am to sunset at Kaka’ako Gateway Park, Honolulu.  Admission is free.  Featured performers include Herb Ohta, Sistah Robi Kahakalau, Herb Ohta Jr., Kapena, Bryan Tolentino, Kalei Gamiao, Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, Seiji Katz, Taimane Gardner, Jody Kamisato, Hiroshi Okada, Kiyoshi Kobayashi, Honoka & Azita, Apirak Sirinanthakul, Mike Maki, Ku Uipo Kumukahi,  and Keiko.

In addition to hosting the contest and hula show, the Royal Hawaiian Center offers complimentary classes Monday–Friday, and live entertainment Tuesday–Saturday.  Expert kumu (teachers) offer classes in things like lei making, quilting (kits for quilting class are $30), hula, ukulele playing, Lomilomi Hawaiian Massage, and Lauhala Weaving.  Check the schedule for these classes and others.

The two events should be a fun way to spend a weekend, and enjoy two staples of Hawaiian culture, the ukulele and hula.  After the weekend, consider spending some time exploring these arts and others at the Royal Hawaiian Center.

Have you attended the ukulele contest in the past, or taken one of the classes at the Royal Hawaiian Center?  Tell us about it in the comments below.