At just six years old, Mitch Chang picked up his first instrument: the ukulele. Deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, he spent his youth playing for the May Day festival, strumming in his free time, and listening to his church’s ukulele group.
Fast forward to September 21, 2024, when Chang hosted the eighth annual Ukulele Festival in Los Angeles through his organization, Kala Koa.
“Kala Koa means calico in Hawaiian—like a multicolored cat. Even within my events, like the ukulele festival, there’s a vast variety of colors, styles, and approaches to the ukulele,” Chang shared with AsAmNews before the festival.
Kala Koa celebrates the diversity of the community and their musical passions. “The word calico describes all of my events,” he added.
So, why choose the ukulele?
Originally from Portugal, the ukulele arrived in Hawaii in the 1800s and has since become a defining sound of Hawaiian culture. However, it’s a versatile instrument capable of a wide range of adaptations, from Vance Joy’s “Riptide” to jazz pieces and even Black Sabbath covers.
The ukulele is also well-suited for festival formats. “I don’t think there’s any other instrument that allows this kind of event. You can have 100, 200, or even 500 people strumming together,” said Mike Chang.
In the spirit of Kala Koa, the festival featured artists from around the globe, including Italy, Hawaii, Amsterdam, and Japan.
Jeff Peterson, who also grew up in Hawaii and started playing at a young age, joined the lineup. He discussed his outreach programs worldwide, expressing joy at seeing young students learn their first chords and songs. “It’s inspiring to see the positive impact it has on communities around the world,” he noted.
Peterson runs an online academy for ukulele players and performed a mix of styles, from classical jazz to traditional Hawaiian tunes during his set at the festival.
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