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)
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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)
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| Photo.3
| Honorary Member Mr.Herb Ohta played at NUA meeting(1960)
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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)
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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.
