Jody’s Joyride
Aloha everyone! It's been a while since my last update, so let me catch you up on all the exciting things that have been happening over the past few months.
Our Ukulele Hale students continue to shine bright! Back in October, students Lina Takabayashi, Cruz Ferreira, Miyu Akino and Shota Oba entered the Dukes Ukes Ukulele Contest, taking 1st place in all four categories. We couldn't be more proud of their dedication and talent. As a reward for their hard work, they had the incredible opportunity to perform at the renowned Dukes Waikiki in November. Congratulations to these exceptional students, instructors, family and supporters!
In December, the Ukulele Hale staff celebrated the holiday season together with an ono dinner at Buca di Beppo. It was a wonderful time to bond and reflect on all the amazing things we accomplished throughout the year.
Our students put on a spectacular winter performance at Kahala Mall, spreading joy and holiday cheer to everyone who stopped by to watch. Their passion for music is truly inspiring.
Honoka and I had the honor of performing for the Hanshin Tigers, the 2023 Nippon Professional Baseball Champions. We were even blessed with words of encouragement from Hawaiiʻs Governor Josh Green, M.D. It was an unforgettable experience.
I spent the holidays surrounded by cherished friends that I've known for over four decades. There's nothing quite like reconnecting with lifelong buddies and creating new memories together.
It was a blast reuniting with our Youth Leadership “Team Hale” at the studio for a weekend filled with laughter, karaoke, and delicious food. These moments of camaraderie are what make our community so special.
In between all the musical adventures, I managed to squeeze in a few pickleball tournaments and even brought home a gold medal (congrats to my partner Tim). It's always rewarding to challenge myself and see progress in my skills. Shout out to the the Hawaii Kai Pickleball Crew, and my coaches Yoshi Tamukai, Kyle, Elaina and Kylena Paredes.
In March, my family welcomed an adorable furry friend named Milo! This little rascal is just 3 months old, and has already captured our hearts with his playful antics and boundless affection.
There are moments in life that fill your heart with an indescribable sense of pride and joy. For me, one of those moments happened when I got to witness my niece Ciana achieve an incredible feat on the softball field. She hit her first season homer! Way to go Cici!
The Ukulele Hale ohana had the pleasure of watching our very own student Heze perform with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Seeing our students thrive and pursue their dreams is what it's all about.
I also had the joy of reconnecting with family from Japan. It's so important to maintain those close relationships, even when distance keeps us apart.
Finally, I had the incredible honor of performing alongside three immensely talented friends -Honoka, Micah Ganiron, and Maia Mayeshiro - at this year's 20th Anniversary of the Waikiki Spam Jam! This event that takes place in April, is always a highlight of my year! The energy from the crowd was electric, and the atmosphere was filled with an unstoppable sense of joy, excitement and aloha. Sharing the stage with such gifted artists and feeling the love from the audience was an experience I will cherish forever. Mahalo to my friends, family, students and friends who came down to share their love and support!
That's a wrap for now, but stay tuned for more exciting updates coming your way soon. Until next time, keep strumming those ukuleles and spreading aloha wherever you go!