Review Hawaii’s Last Queen Program in January

www.UkuleleMeleOnMaui.com

Twenty people signed up for Lili’uokalani, Hawaii’s Last Queen, the first program in the new Hawaiian History and Song Series for 2018 on Wednesday, January 31.

Twenty people signed up for Lili’uokalani, Hawai’i’s Last Queen, the first program in my new Hawaiian History and Song Series for 2018 on Wednesday, January 31 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Kaunoa Senior Center for adults 55 and better. The focus was on learning about Queen Lili’uokalani, the kingdom of Hawai’i’s last monarch, and the stories behind some of her compositions that we sang and played. Part one lecture took 30-minutes, followed by Part two taking 45-minutes to get through four songs. We omitted one planned song as we ran out of time (had to allow for lunch).

Afterwards, one lady commented how much she enjoyed the singing part of the program because it “made the subject come alive”. Another lady expressed how much she loves learning about Hawaiian history.

Here is the list of 4 songs with my unique ‘ukulele strums that we played:

  1. Queen’s Jubilee – Morse Code Strum.
  2. Ku’u Pua I Paoakalani – Pick in 4 Strum.
  3. Sanoe – Waltz Strum and Pick in 6 Strum.
  4. Hawaii Aloha – Morse Code Strum.

The Hawaiian History and Song series continues on the 5th Wednesdays of the month for the year. The next program is May 30 and is titled State Holidays (about Kuhio Day and Kamehameha Day).

Aloha, Mele Fong aka Ukulele Mele

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Mele Fong is a professional singer, song arranger, and master of multiple strumming styles for the 'ukulele. She is an experienced educator with over 50+ years experience playing the 'ukulele and entertaining worldwide. Mele performs with her husband in the duo "The Hawaiian Serenaders" and leads student groups. In 1996, the duo represented the State of Hawai'i in concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Mele and her husband Richard Tom were both born and raised on Oahu and now reside in Maui.