February, the year's shortest month was indeed a busy one. Mahalos to Clarence Uesato who hosted a regional for you Mililani, Ewa, Waianae, Waipahu and Kapolei builders. The feedback was truly positive and attendees not only had a chance to meet one on one put got to participate in a mini on the spot uke jam session. For you windward builders, Rudy Tamayo and Nate Ching are getting ready to set an April date to host a Windward regional and of course with a mini spin. Attendees will be asked to bring along a jig or tool that he or she deems indispensable in their building process. Gee guys thats a good idea...will make sure that us Town builders will incorporate that idea as well and add a twist of our own come May.

Led by "Grasshopper" Yagi, UGH presented its first Sound Forum and pulled it off as smooth as a babys behind. Some thirty or so Instruments were played and evaluated by both the audience and a trio of players. Much Mahalos to Jake Shimabukuro, Al Machida and Kimo Hussey for their time, patience, energy and perceptions. For those of you who submitted ukes you will find an attachment in this newsletter of the surveys that were taken. Overall the sound and quality of the instruments present were superb and you builders deserve a congradulary pat on the back. As in all are events the member donated pupus were awesome...the Wokman was present in the guise of his signature Chow Fun dish and will grace this newsletter with "Wokman Recipes" for Better Building in the near future. We learned a lot about format and presentation in our first sound forum and many excellent suggestions were received that will make our next Sound Forum even better.

Februarys focus was on establishing Chairs to head various committees for our First Annual Ukulele and Guitar Exhibition overall Chairperson is Norman Takeya, Miki Brown will head up Entertainment, Clarence Uesato Sponsorship and Advertising, Rudy Tamayo will lead Setup, Manpower and Security, Lisa Sakai will lead seminars, Manpower is always needed so please call to volunteer your time and effort to any one of these committee Chairpersons.

Expect a membership surge from the big island. West Hawaii led by Andy Berard and hopefully East Hawaii via the duo of the Evans Ohana and Bob Gleason of Pegasus will surely make things happen. A Big Island page is now a part of this newsletter. What about the other islands? Ya wanna get involved...give UGH a call.