Ho'olōkahi means to "create unity". Join us in a cross-school opportunity to experience songwriting and playing the ukulele together.
Teach your class to play a new song, "The Aloha Jam" and collaborate to write lyrics for 2 verses. Submit a video of your song to enter the challenge.
If you win, Paula Fuga will visit your classroom to play and sing your song together!
To be entered for a chance to win a school visit from Paula Fuga, and take part in our final 'mashup' video, register for the Ho'olōkahi Challenge now.
We've created a brand new Facebook group especially for teachers taking part in the challenge! Ask questions, get advice and share your progress to support all teachers Play Music in School.
Use this toolkit to guide you through the challenge! It has everything you need, whether you’re a music teacher or not. Inside, you’ll find lessons on singing the chorus, writing your own lyrics, and playing the song on ukulele, plus a handy rubric to support success.
To participate in the virtual mashup performance, all students must have a completed Lōkahi media release form from their parent/guardian. Use the link below to send to each students parent/guardian. They can then sign the form electronically. A cosign witness signature is also required.
To be entered for a chance to win, after recording your performance, upload and submit your entry here using the Submit button. Note that all students and adults in the videos must have a signed media release form to be eligible to enter. Only Hawaii-based schools are eligible to win an in-person visit from Paula Fuga. Deadline for submissions: March 14th 2026.
Please use your smart phone or other device to create a video recording of your final performance. Check out Step 7: Perform, Record & Submit in the Teacher Toolkit for more information about the video submission process.
A Lōkahi media release form is required by any adult or child participating in the Ho'olōkahi Lyrics Writing Challenge. The forms are completed electronically via the link below:
Lōkahi Release (Adults & Students)
Adult participants/teachers complete and sign the first section. Parents/guardians complete and sign on behalf of their child in the 'IF INDIVIDUAL IS UNDER 18' section. ALL participants must include a name and email for the 'WITNESS' section.
Teachers should also ensure their school's media release requirements are followed.
Paula Fuga, a distinguished group of Lōkahi staff, individuals from the Hawaii Department of Education and sponsors of the Ho'olōkahi event will use a rubric to judge the entries. The winner of the challenge will be notified in late March. Note that judging will only occur for Hawaii-based schools.
The great thing about learning the same song is that we can play it together virtually! All entries will be compiled together in a celebratory video which showcases every school's talent. The 'mashup' will be shared out with all of the schools at the end of the challenge.
Yes! The Lōkahi team is here to help.
Join The Lōkahi Music Teaching Hub Facebook group to connect with other teachers taking part in the challenge.
If you have further questions, or would like more support email us at play@theukulelecollective.com
Yes! You are welcome to write more verses, but submit only the 2 you wish to be judged for your entry.
We've designed the Teacher Toolkit to be easy to follow with lessons that help you modify instruction for students who play at different levels. Just take it at your own pace and have fun!
Only Hawaii-based schools are eligible to win an in-person artist visit. The visit will occur before the end of the school year. We will coordinate with the winning classroom teacher and a school administrator so that it works with their school schedule.