Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Band
Live Music for All Occasions
The Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Band under the instruction and leadership of Kem Kanikapila Loong operates as an ukulele class of all levels and also a performing group. The band plays all types of music specializing in Hawaiian music. Best known and remembered for their lively march medleys that blend American and Hawaiian, they have played their music in all kinds of events from clubs such as the Temple Bar and festival type gatherings. The members of this lively group are composed of all ages and have become expert musicians and vocalists. At the annual Solano Stroll in Albany, California, the band is a favorite and attracts large crowds who instantly feel the breeze of tradewinds and the rustle of cocoa palms. The band has played such popular festival gathering as Solano Stroll 2002 and many others since 1997. They have also played the annual and most popular among Hawaiians and Hawaiians at heart, Ukulele Festivals of Northern California held in Hayward, California. They can also be seen occasionally hosting Aloha Sunday at the Templebar Restaurant in Berkeley, California.
The band is available for performance at social functions. The
size of the band is tailored to your needs. Polynesian Dance floorshows are also
available. Call for details: Kem Loong (Band Leader) 510-524-6403.
Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Band at Ukulele Festival of Northern California 2009 Aloha Festival
in San Francisco 2008
Ukulele Festival of Northern California 2006
Uncle Kem fixing keiki ukuleles
Ukulele Festival of
Northern California 2007
Uncle Kem Band Leader Aunties Mary & Roz Musical
Directors
Auntie
Peggy 2007
Rosemary & Jane 2007
Auntie Bernice 2007
Performing at the Berkeley Internation Food Festival 2007
Hula Dancers & Ukulele Musicians Kevin and Elana Berkeley International Food
Festival 2007
Performing at the Hyatt San Francisco 2006
Ukulele Festival of Northern California 2005
Aloha Festival in San Francisco 2005
Uncle Kem and Kem Jr. at Temple Bar 2006
The Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Band performing at the "Silver Anniversary"Solano Stroll '99 in Albany, California. The band offered free hula dancing lessons to passers-by. The event also featured many other music groups, merchants selling wares, and food vendors from the many restaurants lining the street that was closed to traffic. The festival drew crowds with an estimated 100,000 in attendance.
Aloha Jam 1998 Festival held in San Francisco was promoted by The Templebar and drew a crowd of 8,000. The events featured Hawaiian music groups performing on an indoor and outdoor stage, arts and crafts booths, and food vendors. The above picture shows the Ukulele Band performing on the outdoor stage.
(Above right) The band performing at Templebar on the first Saturday of each month.
(Above left) Hula/Tahitian dancer and instructor, Kalima, joined the band to demonstrate, "Dancing in the Street" Hawaiian style! at the Solano Stroll 1998. Kalima also performs with the award winning Tahitian group, Hui Tama Nui. The group is also pictured on the performers page.
The band performing with featured hula dancers, Ben Wengrofsky and Kalima (left to right). In this hula, choreographed by Kalima, Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai, they describe the art of picking limu or seaweed along the shoreline of Hawai'i. Limu is an important part of the islanders' diet, most especially the the variety called limu kohu, that is difficult to pick while trying also to keep an eye on the treacherous crashing white water waves.