Our Initiatives and Services
To become a leading organization in empowering people through music while creating favorable environments that offer beneficial life options and career opportunities for all.
Our Vision
The Lives We Impact
"`Ukulele Hana Hou!" is a Music For Life Foundation
project initiative intended to locate damaged `ukuleles
in Hawaii's public schools, repair them free-of-charge
and return them to their originating school. The
goal of this initiative is to restore and re-purpose
`ukuleles that have been abandoned or forgotten
resulting from earlier loss of music education
programs.
With fundraising and other novelty and challenge activities, this project is also designed to raise awareness in the need and importance of keeping music education "alive" in schools and in classroom curriculum. Additionally, with `ukuleles back in the classrooms, we hope to re-energize interest in using the `ukulele as a teaching tool for music learning. The project is implemented on a school-by-school basis and is coordinated in a 5-stage process:
Identification, Assessment, Collection, Repair and Return.
Click here:
...to directly support
Music For Life Foundation's
initiatives, projects and programs.
On-going. . ."Da Beat Goes On..." Music For Life Foundation's musical instrument donation drive- a community activity to collect gently used musical instruments for distribution to schools and students in need.
Kala Brand Music Co.
demonstrates support for our on-going `ukulele* repair or replace* school initiative in 2017 with their generous donation of *2,000*Waterman ukuleles.
In the News
Featured Project - `Ukulele Hana Hou!
Our Mission
September 12, 2019 - Fundraiser activity at Raising Cane's restaurant (corner of University Ave. and S. King St.) where 15% of all sales proceeds for that day will be donated to our efforts, programs and projects at Music For Life Foundation.
New! Limited Edition!! ------->
Hard Rock Cafe-Honolulu pin
to raise money for Music For Life Foundation initiatives, projects and programs
To empower people by supporting music-related programs and activities that raise awareness in the tangible benefits, advantages and opportunities
of music education.
“(The Mele Ukulele) project will
increase family engagement and community interest as it supports area children. Music For Life Foundation is also recognized for their tremendous support in their efforts for art empower- ment and music enlivenment for the children of Papakōlea. Our board and staff are supportive of Music For Life Foundation’s mission in keeping music education “alive” in our schools and in all our communities.”
Arienne Dillard, MSW, LSW
Executive Director
Kula No Po`e Hawai`i
"...fostering a brighter, better future for all through music "
September 12, 2019 - Music For Life Foundation's "`Uke-lending" project (in partnership with Hawaii State Public
Library System) continues its expansion with a donation presentation activity at 3:30pm
at Kaimuki Public Library. The event will be co-hosted by project co-director and special guest, Jake Shimabukuro.
"Jake Shimabukuro Clubhouse
for Music Learning and Appreciation"
Officially dedicated on October 2, 2018, the "Jake's Clubhouse" music classroom was designed and established by Music For Life Foundation to keep music "alive" in education for all Ala Wai Elementary School students.
“Music has impacted my life by helping me do well. Ever since I was a child, my Uncle would play the ukulele. He would sing to me when I was feeling down or when I’m going to bed...
Music will help me, my family, school and community and I hope to use this opportunity of being in band to help get me to college and a scholarship. (The) hope of getting into a good college and university will help me find a career which will be good if I plan to have a family in the future.”
Victoria Kaleiopu,
Former student, Wai`anae High School
Calendar of Events
Honolulu Star-Advertiser article
- Repair and maintenance of school `ukuleles and other musical instruments
- Music classroom setup for students, local residents-Ala Wai Elementary School, Honolulu
- Providing performance experience and venues for young, talented and promising musicians
- Supporting community centers and schools with music programs and instruments
- Assists music education-related causes and needs with fundraising and musical instrument donation drives.
Christmas Fantasy Flight - December 2017
Supporting United Airlines'
effort with providing some Christmas cheer to disadvan-taged kids-in-need.
" 'Ukulele Hana Hou!"`Initiative
Before the 2016 year's end, `ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro
successfully completed his personal challenge of repairing 100 Kamaka `ukuleles for music education awareness and to commemorate
Kamaka `Ukulele's 100th anniversary!!
Extended through 2019 year!
- `U.4M.E. (`Ukuleles for Music Equipment) Donation Drive Promotion.
One Kala Waterman `ukulele will be given
away for each musical equipment or instrument donation .
Call 808-753-7394 for details.
Identification - MFL volunteers contact individual schools to determine whether the `ukuleles in need of repair exist.
Assessment - An assessment
of damaged `ukuleles will be conducted; time and cost worthiness of repairs will be determined and considered.
Collection - All `ukuleles recommended for
repair will be collected at a mutually agreed
date and time.
Repair - Whether via MFL or by third-party
vendor or individual, the `ukuleles will be refur-
bished and renewed.
Return - All repaired `ukuleles submitted for
repair to be re-turned to the originating school.
Music For Life Foundation intends to further support this project by organizing fundraising activities in order to assists schools with establishing funding for musical instrument repair costs, music instruction material, and other expenses, such as `ukulele strings and parts replacement.
It’s important to us to be as clear about the services and activities we provide communities and individuals in need. This list details a few of our recent initiatives that would greatly benefit from your support and participation:
August 20, 2017
- Play4M.E. project ends at Honolulu's Ala Moana Center.
Play4M.E. (Music Education) had been a “music gathering place” for the community. With nearly 100 `ukuleles at its former Ala Moana Center location, Play4M.E.'s intent was to offer and provide the joy of playing music with `ukuleles; making it available and accessible to anyone and everyone.