the garden island KAPA‘A — The notes were soft, barely discernible over the rumble of trucks hauling produce. But the strains were consistent as aged fingers found their way across the black nylon strings as Harold Uchino passed the time
the garden island
KAPA‘A — The notes were soft, barely discernible over the rumble of trucks hauling produce.
But the strains were consistent as aged fingers found their way across the black nylon strings as Harold Uchino passed the time while waiting on his flight back to O‘ahu.
Uchino, a produce supervisor for The Food Pantry chain of convenience markets, was on Kaua‘i for a business trip to Esaki’s Produce, one of the wholesale produce distributors, and as he enjoyed the Kapa‘a breeze in the wholesaler’s gazebo; the ‘ukulele made a fitting companion.
That instrument, a vintage Kamaka belonging to Kashiwagi, seemed excited about being able to sing its tunes, free from the confines of a case that showed its period of dormancy from the dust that traced patterns on its covering.
“I don’t do fast songs,” Uchino said. “If people want fast songs, they can get Jake Shimabukuro CDs. What I do is what people call ‘easy listening.’”
Strains of “Over the Rainbow” wafted on the breeze, attracting employees who stopped to enjoy the one-man concert on their break.
That tune is just one of the tracks on Uchino’s first attempt at recording CD which is now on sale.
Titled “Romantic Love Songs,” the design on the jacket reflects his employer’s marketing skills as the title is presented in both English and Japanese.
“The Japanese people love things Hawaiian,” Kashiwagi said. “They like hula, and they love the ‘ukulele which is why Shimabukuro had such a successful tour there.”
The music is from the 60’s era, and Uchino blends his skill on the ‘ukulele with a back-up soundtrack to provide a unique blend of music that lends itself to offices, and that time of the day when people unwind from the stresses of the day.
“There is so much violence and stress in the world,” Uchino, a soft-spoken gentleman, said. “Hopefully, this music helps to take away some of the stress.”
Kashiwagi, who will be distributing copies of the Uchino CD, said marketing will be different for this CD because of Uchino’s background.
“It will be in the usual places people can buy CDs,” Kashiwagi said. “But it will also be available in places like Ishihara Market, Sueoka’s, Kojima’s and Kukui‘ula Store.”
Uchino said he’s been playing the ‘ukulele since he was 11 years old. He celebrated his 64th birthday this year, and with the exception of a 10-year break in playing, has been enjoying the ‘ukulele.
“Everything I play, I learned by ear,” Uchino, whose experience in produce spans 46 years, said. “Usually it takes about a half hour after I hear something before I can play it.”
Uchino’s repertoire includes about 500 songs of a “mixed plate” variety, he admits. That list includes popular show tunes, some hapa-haole Hawaiian, with some Spanish tunes mixed in for flavor.
Starting with Safeway Stores as a produce buyer, Uchino has traveled the produce circuit, moving to Foodland as the director of produce before settling in at the Food Pantry as the produce supervisor.
“It’s less stress,” he said. “But at 64, I gotta start looking for something else to do, and this sounded good.”
Uchino, whose wife Evelyn is from the Sakata family in Kapa‘a, said he used to entertain when he was younger, and at one time, was even a lead singer.
Since his first CD came out, Uchino said he’s sold about 500 copies so far.
“It must be a little good,” he said modestly, his fingers still making music from the vintage uke. “Maybe one day, I’ll even do some singing (on the CD).”
Kashiwagi said in addition to distributing the CD, he’ll be looking to arrange for some personal appearances by the produce buyer-turned-entertainer.
