Jake Shimabukuro, the ‘ukulele virtuoso, held an open one-hour workshop for all Kamehameha students at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 18, in Keöpüolani Hale.

He began the workshop by telling the students about how he began playing the ‘ukulele. He said his mother taught him to play his first chord, C major. He said he was amazed because that one finger on that one string could make him so happy. 

The audience asked many times about how much he practiced. “It wasn’t really practicing, I just loved playing,” Shimabukuro said.

He said he sees the ‘ukulele as a string quartet. The first string and second string are like the first and second violins. The third string is like the viola and the fourth string is like the cello. Instead of playing one instrument, he said he sees it like he’s playing four different instruments.

During the workshop he performed One, Four, Three; Bring Your Adz and Guava Jam, which he performed with freshman Mika Kane.

Shimabukuro will be performing at the Castle Theater at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, 7:30 p.m., March 19.