Big Island Ukulele Guild’s annual exhibit opens Oct. 2

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

The Big Island Ukulele Guild’s annual exhibit will open Oct. 2 at Wailoa Center in Hilo. The 5 p.m. formal opening will feature live music, pupus, and a drawing for a free ukulele.

The Big Island Ukulele Guild’s annual exhibit will open Oct. 2 at Wailoa Center in Hilo. The 5 p.m. formal opening will feature live music, pupus, and a drawing for a free ukulele.

This exhibit, which featured more than 50 handmade instruments last year, will also feature other invitational pieces from woodworkers across the Big Island including furniture, sculptures, and turned bowls. The show is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday through Oct. 29.

Visitors to the show during the month can vote for their favorite ukulele for the People’s Choice Award. The public is also invited to join in ukulele kanikapila (jam sessions) on Oct. 3 with Alan Hale, and Oct. 17 with Keoki Kahomoku from noon until 3 p.m. On Oct. 10, guild members will lead demonstrations for the public.

The Big Island Ukulele Guild began in 2001, and is comprised of about 50 members. The guild works to promote ukulele making by sharing information between builders. Many of the members build as a hobby, while about 10 percent build professionally. Any interested person can become a guild member. Members meet four times annually at varying locations across the island to share food, kanikapila, and a presentation on some aspect of ukulele building.

For more information, contact coordinator Dave Stokes at 989-8890 or visit www.BigIslandUkuleleGuild.org For more information about the Wailoa Center, call 933-0416.