Posted by: Stuart Yoshida in General News on Apr 19, 2009
Even though this isn't directly related to the ukulele, if you want to watch a real slice of Hawaiian culture and music, check out the Merry Monarch Festival that is held annually in Hilo, Hawaii. If you listen closely to many of the meles (songs) that are played, you can hear the Olapa Strum. Let me know if you can hear the rhythm.
Hilo is a sleepy little town on the Windward side of the Big Island (that's the one with all the active volcanoes). But once a year it becomes the home of the best hula performances in the world.
They have the performances available on the Internet from a local TV station (KITV). Here's the link: http://www.kitv.com/video/19221425/index.html