Nihon Ukulele Association
HISTORY OF NUA
Nihon Ukulele Association was established on 1959

NUA Founded by Mr. Yukihiko Haida [ profile ]

Mr. Haruhiko Haida (later changed the name to Yukihiko Haida) has been recognized for his great service in introducing Hawaiian Music to Japan, together with his younger brother Katsuhiko Haida. He had his own band "Moana Glee Club" where he himself had played the steel guitar as a band leader. At the same time, he taught the pros as well as the amateurs how to play the steel guitars and the ukulele. He had founded the NUA(Nihon Ukulele Association) with the view of promoting the ukulele which is one of the easiest musical instruments for the amateurs to play.

Photo.1 Mr.Haida and the 2nd President Mr.Masamitsu Yamano(1983)

Mr. Haida, The Introducer of the Ukulele Solo Play

Mr.Haida who knew the ukulele is good not only accompaniment instrument but for solo play released the ukulele solo play album of LP disc from Nihon Victor Company(JVC). And he also invited Mr. Eddie Kamae and his apprentice Mr. Herb Ohta, one of the most renowned players at the time, to the gatherings of NUA in order to introduce those distinguished players to the members of the association. The LP album of their ukulele solo play were soon released from JVC owing to the effort of Mr. Haida. This achievement in promoting the merits of the uklele is now greatly recognized in Japan.

Photo.2 Mr.Haida with Director Mr.Naonori Watanabe(1960)
Photo.3 Honorary Member Mr.Herb Ohta played at NUA meeting(1960)

NUA Original Members

Many of NUA original main members left or passed away including Mr. Haida who passed away on October 16, 1986. Mr.Masamitsu Yamano, the second President, Mr. Kazuhiko Kawai, the first Chairman of the Board, and the not a few Honorary Members or Special Members passed away or left , which include Mr.Ryutaro Mizoguchi, Mr. Naonori Watanabe, Mr.Gun'ichi Yamaguchi and Mr.Eddie Kamae. Now only a few are active like the second Chairman of the Board Mr. Keiichiro Murakami (Special member).

Photo.4 Honorary Member Mr.Gun'ichi Yamaguchi(1998)


Current NUA Organization

The Association is led by Mr. Masahiko Yamano, the third President and Mr.Mutsuo Shimizu, the third Chairman of the Board together with a few Vice-chairman of the Board as well Directors. At a regular monthly meeting, the experienced members are providing lectures and workshops by turns to all participants there for mutual fun and benefit. The Honorary Members are prominent : Mr. Allan Haida (son of Mr. Haida), Ms. Kayo Namikawa (daughter of Mr. Haida), Mr. Mineo Shimizu, Ms. Kazue Hayakawa, Mr. Herb Ohta, Mr. Herb Ohta Jr., Mr. Yoshinari Yamashita, Mr. Leslie Nunes, Mr.Samuel Kamaka Mr. David Gomes and Mr. Roy Sakuma.

Photo.5 Honorary Member Mr.Roy Sakuma and his wife Kathy(1998)
Photo.6 Honorary Member Mr.Samuel Kamaka(1998)
Photo.7 Honorary Member Mr.David Gomes(1998)
Photo.8 Mr.Jim Beloff and Honorary Member Mr.Leslie Nunes(1998)


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