What better place to hold a series of cultural events than in a shopping centre? This is obviously what the managers of the Royal Hawaiian Center thought when they designed their weekly timetable of activities. Today, between 10am and 11am in the Pa'ina Lanai Food Court, it was ukulele for beginners.
We arrived a few minutes early but almost didn't find a seat, so popular is this event hosted by local celebrity and ukulele maestro Wainani Yim. After filling out the sign-in sheet we were handed our instruments and a folder of intimidating chord structures and songs. We sat down by a lady who had her own ukulele, complete with rainbow strap. Wainani certainly has a following.
The lesson was fast and fierce. We were introduced to twelve chords in quick succession, and then plunged into Yellow Ginger Lei. "Who hasn't heard this song before?" our teacher asked, and only Hannah and I were honest enough to admit our ignorance. To add to our burgeoning tasks we then had to sing the words while strumming, in English and Hawaiian! Barely mastering this song we were directed to Ukulele Lady, some more singing and plucking, and then it was all over. George Formby, look out.
Weapon of choice.
Hannah - low slung.
I assume the position.
Wainani Yim, highly skilled.
And popular.
The second song challenge.
Me and the ukulele lady.
Formby.
Davies.
