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Jake Shimabukuro, Hawaii’s prevailing ukulele virtuoso, has been a force in a two-decade yuletide relationship with students at Maemae Elementary School.
He will visit Maemae this week to perform a holiday concert, joined by pupils chiming in on vocals, ukulele and hula.
The session will be recorded — it was on cassette in the early years, then transitioned to CD and now is pretty much a full DVD production — and will be a gift from the kids to their parents.
Shimabukuro and fifth-grade teacher Cody Okimoto, a longtime buddy, will edit and co-produce the DVD, complete with a holiday cover autographed by Shimabukuro. It will become a treasured holiday memento.
“It’s a great project that has evolved into a four-camera recording and a really nice memory for the kids,” said Shimabukuro. “Very often, I’ll run into a student who tells me he has a video taken while in the second or third grade.”
Turns out that Shimabukuro and Okimoto were fellow wrestlers who graduated from Kaimuki High and attended Kapiolani Community College together. The strummer also was best man at the educator’s wedding, so the bonds are deep.
“Cody and I will get together and hopefully get the DVD done before Christmas,” said Shimabukuro. “Teachers and parents are so supportive, too; it’s become a really nice project for all.”
For the milestone 20th year, the school has scheduled two events. Shimabukuro gives a concert on campus at 8:30 a.m. Friday, when every student gets to take the stage before the DVD cameras, performing holiday fare ranging from “At Christmas Time” and “Winter Wonderland” to “Mele Kalikimaka” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” “The kids have been rehearsing, in anticipation of the live concert,” said Shimabukuro.
A larger “Christmas with Jake and Friends” public concert, from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, will be staged at McKinley High School as a benefit for Maemae; alums are invited. Singer Ginai, ukulele phenom Maia Mayeshiro, the school glee chorus and the entire fifth grade of 150 students will join Shimabukuro; just added to the roster, Jon Yamasato. Tickets: $15-$50, at 808ne.ws/ChristmaswithJake.
“I have had the pleasure to be part of this project since its beginning,” said Matt Nakamura, school counselor. “We believe in educating the whole child by immersing them in experiences such as this,” said Nakamura of the arts/culture element of education, despite mounting emphasis on math and science. “We think our students will remember singing with Jake onstage, under bright lights, more than acing their math quiz, though both are important, for sure.”
Footnote: Shimabukuro will perform at Blue Note Hawaii at 6:30 and 9 p.m. Dec. 20-22. Tickets: $25-$45, at 777-4890 or bluenotehawaii.com. …
JINGLING ALL THE WAY
More yuletide music:
>> Ben and Maila’s “A Happy Hawaiian Christmas,” from 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16 (doors open at 5 p.m.), is the season’s jolliest assembly, as Ben Vegas and Maila Gibson welcome Josh Tatofi, Ho‘okena, Raiatea Helm, Streetlight Cadence and Kanoe Gibson to the Ala Moana Hotel’s Hibiscus Ballroom. Tickets: $85 (regular) and $110 (VIP), includes a prime rib buffet dinner. Call 944-4333. …
>> HASR Bistro, 31 N. Pauahi St., will spotlight Jay Larrin, the raconteur at the keyboard, in two luncheon events on Saturday and again Dec. 22. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and Larrin serenades at 12:30 p.m … Crooner Danny Couch plays at a HASR dinner show Saturday and Melveen Leed fronts a luncheon show Dec. 23, with further details forthcoming. Tickets: $47.50, at honoluluboxoffice.com. …
>> The aforementioned Streetlight Cadence plays a holiday gig at 7 p.m. Dec. 21, at HASR Bistro; doors open at 6 p.m.
The quartet’s freebies: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Kahala Mall; noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 16, Ka Makana Alii courtyard, Kapolei; 5 to 5:45 p.m. Dec. 17, Ala Moana Centerstage; 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 19, Salt at Our Kakaako (bring nonperishable food items, destined for the Waikiki Community Center emergency food pantry); 7 p.m. Dec. 20, WorkPlay HI (new venue at 814 Ilaniwai St., Kakaako) …
And that’s “Show Biz.”
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
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