Hawaii State Hospital - Oahu, HI
April 01, 2010Nestled on the windward side of Oahu, backed up against the Koolau mountains, lies the Hawaii State Hospital. Jake and MIGM made special visit to this hospital where Jake would perform a mini-concert for about 180 of the patients and staff.
![](http://images.jakeshimabukuro.com.oniricfs.us/uploads/reports/charityevents/hawaiihospital10/IMG_8598.jpg")
![](http://images.jakeshimabukuro.com.oniricfs.us/uploads/reports/charityevents/hawaiihospital10/IMG_8599.jpg")
We say mini concert, because thats exactly what this was. Jake would play for nearly an hour and perform eight different tunes for the patients. What made this event really interesting were the stories that Jake would tell between his songs. Usually he tells these stories at concerts or shows, so this crowd was in for a real treat today.
![](http://images.jakeshimabukuro.com.oniricfs.us/uploads/reports/charityevents/hawaiihospital10/IMG_8607.jpg")
![](http://images.jakeshimabukuro.com.oniricfs.us/uploads/reports/charityevents/hawaiihospital10/IMG_8611.jpg")
Jake opened up with his well known story of how he began playing the ukulele at the age of four. His mother was his first teacher and they both would play and sing together through Jake's childhood. He spoke about how music has inspired his life in so many different ways and has given him so many new and exciting opportunities.
![](http://images.jakeshimabukuro.com.oniricfs.us/uploads/reports/charityevents/hawaiihospital10/IMG_8613.jpg")
![](http://images.jakeshimabukuro.com.oniricfs.us/uploads/reports/charityevents/hawaiihospital10/IMG_8653.jpg")
Sometimes Jake will speak about his family life and share some stories about recent activities. A seldom told story is about his Grandfather on Molokai'i and how Jake and his brother Bruce would go tako (octopus) fishing with their grandfather, otherwise known as having "The Tako Eye". His grandfather could spot a tako in the rocks just by looking into the water from his position in the boat. Pretty amazing!
![](http://images.jakeshimabukuro.com.oniricfs.us/uploads/reports/charityevents/hawaiihospital10/IMG_8659.jpg")
![](http://images.jakeshimabukuro.com.oniricfs.us/uploads/reports/charityevents/hawaiihospital10/IMG_8664.jpg")
Jake would also thrill the crowd with his comical story about his visit to England to play for the Queen withe Bette Midler. This story always gets people cracking up as Jake explains how he could not spot bowing when he meet the Queen. Apparently you are not supposed to bow, but Jake being Japanese could not resist and naturally went into a bowing frenzy. This always draws a big laughter from the audience.
![](http://images.jakeshimabukuro.com.oniricfs.us/uploads/reports/charityevents/hawaiihospital10/IMG_8687.jpg")
![](http://images.jakeshimabukuro.com.oniricfs.us/uploads/reports/charityevents/hawaiihospital10/IMG_8693.jpg")
One of the more beautiful and touching moments happened when Jake played his rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. A person in the audience began dancing hula throughout the entire song, and everyone was very touched by the moment.
Mahalo to Louise Storm of the Hawaii & Pacific Section for arranging this special day with MIGM and Jake. We enjoyed every minute of it and hope to see everyone real soon.