Roy Sakuma is recognized as Hawaii's foremost ukulele teacher and proponent of the instrument.

Innovative, inspirational, warm, funny and kind are all words used to describe Roy. In over 30 years of teaching the ukulele, he has been all of these things and more in his role as teacher, producer, promoter and inspiration to thousands of students and the island community that benefits from his talents.

In the 1960's, as America's youth latched onto the larger, louder, more swaggering guitar, the little instrument from Hawaii was relegated to the attic. Roy knew the instrument's true worth. And so for over three decades with the help of his staff, instructors and supporters, he has spread the joy of the ukulele teaching students and promoting the annual Ukulele Festival that now draws performers from around the world.

The ukulele has come a long way. It's cool to play the ukulele. Youngsters jam at school between classes, at the park and the mall. The ukulele embraces everyone who hears it. As Roy Sakuma understood decades ago, that's the irresistable charm of the ukulele.