開催日：2026年7月12日
会場：カピオラニ公園 メインステージ・セカンドステージ（アメリカ・ハワイ州）
主催：インターナショナル・ウクレレフェスティバル・オブ・ハワイ実行委員会
SOU AZULの関わり：ダンサー出演・振付
2026年7月12日、Samba! SOU AZULは、カピオラニ公園で開催された「インターナショナル・ウクレレフェスティバル・オブ・ハワイ2026」に出演しました。
前日のワイキキ・ビーチ・ウォークでのサンバショーに続く、ハワイでの二日目のステージです。
この日は、セカンドステージで、きいやま商店さんのダンサーとして出演。さらにメインステージのフィナーレでは、1933ウクレレオールスターズの皆さんともご一緒させていただきました。
ウクレレ、沖縄音楽、サンバ。
異なる場所で育った音楽が、ハワイの自然の中でつながる一日となりました。
前日の様子はこちら
ハワイでサンバショー｜ワイキキ・ビーチ・ウォーク
世界から音楽が集まるウクレレフェスティバル
「インターナショナル・ウクレレフェスティバル・オブ・ハワイ」は、ハワイ最大のウクレレの祭典です。
2026年は7月10日から12日までの3日間にわたって開催され、公式発表では延べ約2万人が来場しました。
会場には、ハワイ、日本、韓国をはじめ、世界各地からミュージシャンやウクレレチーム、子どもたちが集結。
SOU AZULも、サンバを届けるチームとして公式ラインナップに加わりました。
ウクレレの音色がハワイの風に溶け込み、出演者も観客もゆったりと一日を楽しむ会場。その中で、サンバがどのような役割を果たせるのかを感じる機会となりました。
インターナショナル・ウクレレフェスティバル・オブ・ハワイ公式サイト
セカンドステージ｜きいやま商店さんと共演
最初の出演は、セカンドステージの大トリを務めた、きいやま商店さんのステージです。
Samba! SOU AZULは、きいやま商店さんの楽曲に合わせたダンスパフォーマンスを担当しました。
ご一緒した楽曲は、
- 「カーーニバレ」
- 「浪漫飛行」
- 「シュラヨイ」
の3曲です。
沖縄・石垣島から生まれたきいやま商店さんの音楽には、人を巻き込み、一緒に歌い、踊りたくなる力があります。
With the addition of samba movements and colorful costumes, the energy of the stage spread even further throughout the venue.
The audience members also stood up, moved their hands, and participated with Kachāshī.
It wasn't just about watching the stage; it became a participatory time where performers and the audience danced together.
Okinawan music and samba both originated from different cultures. However, they are very similar in that people connect through music and by moving their bodies together.
I felt that commonality anew on the stage in Hawaii.
Main Stage | Towards 1933 Ukulele All Stars and the Finale
After finishing the second stage, it was finally time for the main stage.
The festival's finale was graced by the 1933 Ukulele All Stars.
The members for 2026 are:
- Kazuyuki Sekiguchi (Leader)
- Boo Takagi
- Yoshio Nomura
- Yoko Oginome
- Kimiko Wakeyama
- Yanagiman
- Yutaka Hatakeyama
a豪華 lineup that has long colored the Japanese music scene.
Samba! SOU AZUL was also invited to participate in this finale stage.
The stage, which transitioned from "Katte ni Shindbad" to "Ii Yu Da Na," was filled with a friendly atmosphere where the legendary artists genuinely enjoyed the music.
There were no barriers between the performers and the audience, and the entire venue naturally filled with smiles.
The three-day festival came to a close as everyone enjoyed the same time together, transcending generations, nationalities, and music genres.
SOU AZUL's Involvement
SOU AZUL was responsible for organizing the dancers, choreography, staging, pre-rehearsals, and performance coordination for the stage with Kiiyama Shotai and the main stage finale.
While cherishing the unique charm of each artist and song, we aimed to create a stage that was more vibrant and encouraged audience participation by adding samba dancers.
Our goal was not simply for dancers to move to the music, but to create a space where artists, dancers, and the audience could enjoy the music together.
This is what we valued in producing this performance.
The Circle Created by Ukulele, Okinawan Music, and Samba
Through this festival, I was reminded anew that there are many commonalities between ukulele, Okinawan music, and samba.
All of these musical styles are deeply connected to people's lives and nature, and they are completed not just by the performers, but by the people present enjoying them together.
At the Kiiyama Shoten stage, the audience participated with Kachāshī, and at the 1933 Ukulele All Stars stage, smiles spread throughout the venue across generations.
Rather than explaining cultural and musical differences, we move our bodies together to the same rhythm.
The circle born in that moment is the "Carnival" that SOU AZUL aims for.
Connections born in Hawaii, for the future.
After the festival, head to the after-party where performers, staff, and participants gather.
In the relaxed atmosphere after the performance, I had the opportunity to interact with various artists and stakeholders.
We want to nurture the encounters and connections made this time into new initiatives where ukulele, Okinawan music, and samba intersect, rather than letting them end here.
Thank you very much to the organizers, staff, performing artists, and everyone who danced with us at the venue for giving us this precious opportunity.