Best Martial Arts and Music Lessons in Hawai’i

When HONOLULU Magazine announced its 2026 Best of HONOLULU and Best of HONOLULU Family winners last week, one detail quietly stood out amid the celebrations for bagels, burgers, and ukulele studios: Roy Sakuma ‘Ukulele Studios took home the award for Best Music Lessons. For anyone familiar with Hawaii’s cultural landscape, this wasn’t just another accolade—it was a continuation of a legacy that began over five decades ago when Roy Sakuma first picked up a ukulele and decided to share its joy with others. What started as a personal passion has grown into an institution that now shapes how generations of Hawaiians—and visitors—connect with the islands’ most iconic instrument.

The recognition from HONOLULU Magazine’s readers and editorial team reflects more than just quality instruction; it speaks to the studio’s role as a cultural steward. Founded in 1971, Roy Sakuma ‘Ukulele Studios didn’t just teach chords and strums—it helped revive the ukulele during a period when its popularity was waning, positioning it as both a accessible entry point to music and a profound symbol of Hawaiian identity. That mission continues today, with programs designed for keiki (children), adults, and seniors alike, often held in community spaces across Oahu, from Kakaʻako to Windward Mall. The studio’s annual Ukulele Festival Hawaii, now in its sixth decade, draws thousands to Waikiki Beach each summer, turning the shoreline into a living classroom where strangers become players in a matter of minutes.

What makes this year’s win particularly resonant is how it aligns with broader trends in music education. While many mainland cities grapple with declining school music budgets and shifting priorities, Hawaii has maintained a unique relationship with the ukulele—not as a novelty, but as a living tradition woven into school curricula, family gatherings, and even corporate team-building events. Studios like Roy Sakuma’s have benefited from this cultural continuity, but they’ve also had to adapt, offering hybrid lessons, intergenerational workshops, and specialized tracks for players interested in jazz, classical, or contemporary Hawaiian styles. The result is an ecosystem where a child’s first encounter with the instrument might happen at a public library workshop in Līhuʻe, continue through private lessons in Mānoa, and culminate in a performance at the annual festival alongside players from Japan, Canada, or Brazil.

This blend of accessibility and depth is what caught the attention of HONOLULU Magazine’s voters. Unlike more formal conservatory approaches, Roy Sakuma ’Ukulele Studios emphasizes comfort and creativity—students are encouraged to play songs they love early on, whether it’s a traditional mele or a modern pop hit. That philosophy has helped democratize music learning in a place where financial barriers to arts education can still be significant. Partnerships with organizations like the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation have allowed the studio to offer scholarships and free community classes, ensuring that cost doesn’t prevent a child in Kalihi or Waiʻanae from experiencing the joy of making music.

The studio’s influence extends beyond technique into the realm of cultural preservation. In an age where globalization threatens to homogenize local traditions, the ukulele stands as a quiet act of resistance—a four-stringed ambassador of aloha that carries stories of migration, innovation, and resilience. When a student learns to play “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī” or “Sweet Leilani,” they’re not just mastering finger positions; they’re engaging with layers of history that span the monarchy era, the tourism boom, and the Hawaiian Renaissance. Roy Sakuma ’Ukulele Studios has long understood this, framing lessons not just as skill-building but as storytelling—an approach that resonates deeply in a community where oral tradition remains vital.

Looking ahead, the studio faces familiar challenges: how to honor tradition while embracing innovation, how to scale impact without losing the personal touch that defines its teaching style, and how to engage younger audiences raised on digital interfaces in a world where attention is fragmented. Yet its 2026 award suggests that the core formula—respect for the instrument, reverence for the culture, and a genuine love for sharing both—remains powerfully effective. As one longtime instructor position it during a recent interview, “We don’t just teach people to play the ukulele. We help them discover their voice.”

Given my background in cultural journalism and community-driven storytelling, if this recognition inspires you to explore music education in Honolulu—whether for yourself, a keiki, or an elder family member—here are three types of local professionals and programs worth seeking out, each with specific criteria to guide your choice:

• Culture-Centered Music Educators: Look for instructors or studios that explicitly integrate Hawaiian history, language, and values into their curriculum—not just as occasional add-ons, but as foundational elements. The best providers will reference specific mele (songs), oli (chants), or historical periods in their teaching and demonstrate how music connects to broader cultural practices like hula or oli. Ask whether they collaborate with cultural organizations such as the Bishop Museum or the Native Hawaiian Education Association.
• Access-Focused Community Programs: Prioritize initiatives that offer sliding-scale fees, scholarships, or free workshops, particularly those partnered with public institutions like the Hawai‘i State Public Library System or the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. Verify that they serve diverse neighborhoods beyond tourist corridors—check for consistent presence in areas like Kalihi, Kōkua, or Waimānalo—and inquire about their outreach metrics, such as number of scholarships awarded annually or partnerships with Title I schools.
• Intergenerational and Adaptive Learning Specialists: Seek out teachers experienced in working across age groups and learning styles, including those trained in adaptive methods for neurodiverse learners or seniors with mobility or sensory considerations. The most effective programs will offer family-friendly classes, multi-age workshops, and flexible formats (in-person, hybrid, or recorded) while maintaining high instructional standards. Check for certifications in music therapy, special education, or gerontological music practice, and ask how they tailor lessons to individual goals—whether it’s mastering a specific song, preparing for a festival performance, or simply enjoying music as a daily practice.

Ready to find trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated music lessons experts in the Honolulu area today.