Roy Sakuma to be inducted into ʻUkulele Hall of Fame at Kapi’olani Park

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Roy Sakuma will be inducted into the ʻUkulele Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 27 during the 2024 International ʻUkulele Festival in Kapi’olani Park.

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Roy Sakuma is the founder of the world’s first and most successful ukulele festival.

Sakuma was working as a groundskeeper with the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation when he started the First Annual ʻUkulele Festival in 1971.

The free festival became one of Honolulu’s biggest annual events, featuring ʻukulele artists from around the world.

“Roy has been a towering central figure in the modern era in his multiple roles as a player, teacher, impresario, and producer,” said Paul Syphers, president of the ‘Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum. “We couldn’t imagine a more qualified candidate for induction or a more appropriate place to conduct the ceremony than the place where Roy’s labor of love began more than half a century ago.”

ʻUkulele artist Jake Shimabukuro will be among those paying tribute to Sakuma’s life’s work during a 3 p.m. induction ceremony at the Kapi’olani Park Bandstand.