1,000+ ukulele ensemble members fall short of world record

WAIKIKI (HawaiiNewsNow) - Just over a thousand people gathered at the Waikiki Shell Saturday to play a new song composed by ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro in an attempt to break a world record while helping a worthy cause.

The event was called "Go for Da Record." The record: World's Largest Ukulele Ensemble.

According to a representative of the Guinness Book of World Records, the attempt by 1,056 ukulele players fell short of the current record of 1,547, set this past August in Helsingborg, Sweden.

PHOTO GALLERY Click to view a slideshow of the event.

To qualify for the Guinness record, participants had to play a common musical piece in a group. The piece also had to be at least five minutes long.

Even though the record wasn't broken, Shimabukuro and organizers said they will try again.

"Oh yeah, definitely," Shimabukuro said. "The main thing is that we're bringing people together who love the instrument, who love the ukulele, and it's all for a good cause."

"This is a fundraiser for Rainbow for Japan Kids, the orphaned kids that were traumatized from the earthquake," said organizer Leo Daquioag of the Music for Life Foundation. The program identifies Japan earthquake and tsunami affected children and brings them to Hawaii for a visit that includes educational and learning experiences.

Some of the funds also will be used to purchase ukuleles and other musical tools, which will be donated to local schools.

No word yet on the amount of money raised, which came from registration fees, an online auction, and sponsors.

Related link: Go For Da Record

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