Ukulele legend to pass on his skill

Renowned ukulele player Rudy Aquino will be sharing his gift with the Rarotonga community this month.

Rudy– who previously played in the band Don Ho and The Aliis and received a lifetime achievement ‘Na Hoku Hanohano’ award in 2012 for contributions to Hawaiian music – will be tutoring a community education course for beginner ukulele players.

The two-week course is part of the Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute’s (CITTI) programme for the first semester, and will include tutorials, practical workshops and self-directed learning, working towards students being able to perform a song.

Amelia Borofsky, who planned and developed the CITTI community education programme, said the aim of the course is to introduce Cook Islanders to their connection to Hawaii and the Polynesian diaspora through music.

[quote align=”center” color=”#999999″]“Being from Hawai’i, everyone has heard of Don Ho and the Aliis. Having someone of Rudy calibre in the Cook Islands willing to share his gift is a real treat.”[/quote]

“Being from Hawai’i, everyone has heard of Don Ho and the Aliis. Having someone of Rudy calibre in the Cook Islands willing to share his gift is a real treat.”

Aquino and his former band, the original Hawaiian Aliis (later Don Ho and The Aliis) were once one of Hawai’i’s hottest groups, entertaining Hollywood stars at the popular Waikiki hot spot Duke Kahanamoku Restaurant or giving audiences across the United States mainland a taste of island flavour.

From 1964 to 1969 they backed the legendary Don Ho, an entertainer most famous for his signature song “Tiny Bubbles”, and they featured on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show” and in sold-out shows in the US and the Pacific.

Enrolments are now open for the course, with both kids and adults encouraged to sign up. Children under 10 years will need to be accompanied by an adult.

The course will take place at the Ngatangiia campus of CITTI on February 18, 21, 25 and 28 from 4-5pm. Students must bring along their own ukulele.

source: http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/item/44743-ukulele-legend-to-pass-on-his-skill