January 8, 2010
Leilehua High School - Oahu, HI
Located deep in the scenic town of Wahiawa lies Leilehua High School which is home to over one-thousand students. Quite a large public school. Earlier in the day Jake conducted a short workshop for the ukulele class. Following the workshop was the main performance which would include a good portion of the school's students.
Jake opened up with a well received take of Let's Dance. This song is always a big crowd pleaser when Jake opens up with the strumming and finger picking techniques. We realized how large the crowd was when Jake finished the song and and insanely loud roar came bellowing out and echoed throughout the gym.
Jake spoke about how he came to be an ukulele player and how his passion to play music was basically like his college education. He has learned so much from his musical experiences and the unique ability to express himself through music as an art form. He also mentioned that how he likes to experiment and try different things with his ukulele. A great example he used to show this was a new rendition of the theme song from "Family Guy". You could really tell the students enjoyed this example and that Jake was making a connection.
A message Jake chose to share with the students was related twords healthy living. He expressed that we really need to think about the things that we put into our bodies. We always need to think; is this good for my physical self, is this good for my mental self, and is this good for my spiritual self. If you can find ways to bring peace and balance to all three of those elements in your life, you will live a very fulfilled and happy life. Jake also spoke about a time he spent on Molokaii hunting and fishing and living off the land. It was that experience that made him realize that he has total control over all the things he feels.
The performance was closed when the bell to change classes was run, and Jake played his final song "Crazy G" as the students bid him farewell and goodbye. Mahalo to Keith Fukumoto for giving MIGM this wonderful opportunity. We are so thankful to have been involved with Leilehua High School and hope the students could experience the message and passion that we strive to express.
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