NARRATOR: The World ʻUkulele program's mission is to spread the Aloha spirit around the world by teaching disadvantaged children how to play the ʻukulele.

The program has been very successful, teaching children in Siem Reap, Cambodia, Sikkim, India, and in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

You are about to witness their latest effort on the beautiful island of Bali.

♪ ♪ Bali is known for its beautiful people, scenery, music, and culture.

Sit back and enjoy a sample of what can be experienced on this lovely island as Jeff Peterson plays a song that he composed titled "Villa Bodhi."

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ NARRATOR: Amos Kotamori welcomed the Hawaiian teachers and Dewa Putu Berata, and Judy Mitoma from the children's school, followed by a Balinese dance performance and dinner at his lovely Villa Bodhi Bali vacation residence.

♪ ♪ The following day, the teachers were greeted by the school officials and children and participated in a traditional prayer session, followed by a gamelan musical demonstration.

It reflected the true Aloha spirit.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ It was now time for the children to receive their ʻukuleles.

They were very excited to open the boxes and see the instruments.

(excited chatter, clapping) NARRATOR: Jeff Peterson, Steve Grimes, and Jeff Cooke started the ukulele lessons.

PETERSON: One, two, one.

Now, play it four times.

One, two, three, four.

Stay on four.

NARRATOR: The children intently followed the instructions and really appeared to take to the ʻukuleles.

They started out learning simple notes, progressing to strumming chords.

After three days of lessons, their goal was to perform a public concert with the teachers.

STEVE: Zero.

Three, five, seven, nine, ten, 11.

Back down.

Right where the dots are.

♪ (ʻukulele music playing) ♪ JEFF: And use the dots when you... ♪ (ʻukulele music playing) ♪ ♪ (ʻukulele music playing) ♪ NARRATOR: Keola Beamer taught the children slack key guitar.

They followed his instructions with much interest and gratitude.

KEOLA: Good.

Very good.

♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ Good.

Keep going.

Slide.

(rhythmic clapping) NARRATOR: Moana Beamer worked with the children, teaching them hula.

The children loved being in Moana's presence.

They warmed up to her and the lessons immediately.

One could feel the Aloha spirit in their presence.

They also practiced for three days with the goal of performing at the public concert.

MOANA: Drop the arm and then right up.

Drop them here.

Go like this.

(vocalizing) NARRATOR: On the final day of their lessons, they rehearsed to prepare for the show.

(vocalizing) (vocalizing) Thank you.

♪ ♪ NARRATOR: The concert day finally arrived at the Banjar Community Center.

The show opened with the children's Gamelan Orchestra and traditional Balinese dancers.

Their performance was followed by the teachers and students performing their songs.

Everyone was very excited.

♪ ♪ (audience applause) ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (audience applause) KEOLA: (Chanting in Hawaiian) He lei keakea noho mai lā i ka mauna Ka mauna kiʻekiʻe i luna kū kilakila Kilakila no luna no luna i ke ao ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ KEOLA: My friend and I would sometimes roam ♪ ♪ the trails of Mauna Kea.

♪ ♪ And in the evening, we'd come home ♪ ♪ to see her standing there.

♪ ♪ The moons are around her ♪ ♪ when she sleeps.

♪ ♪ The clouds stand beside her ♪ ♪ when she weeps.

♪ ♪ And I could be forgotten ♪ ♪ and 1,000 miles away.

♪ ♪ Still, I would recall, ♪ ♪ the beauty, ♪ ♪ of Mauna Kea.

♪ ♪ Now, to any land you go, ♪ ♪ she will be with you, ♪ ♪ if you love her like I do, ♪ ♪ Oh, Mauna Kea.

♪ ♪ And I live in the city now, ♪ ♪ and I see different things.

♪ ♪ In the nights when I am alone, ♪ ♪ she's in my dreams.

♪ ♪ The wind spins around her when she wails.

♪ ♪ The sun spreads its warmth across her face.

♪ ♪ And I could be forgotten ♪ ♪ and 1,000 miles away.

♪ ♪ Still, I would recall ♪ ♪ the beauty ♪ ♪ of Mauna Kea.

♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ (audience cheering and applause) Moanalani.

(audience applause).

♪ (ʻukulele music playing) ♪ ♪ KEOLA: (singing in Hawaiian) ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ O ke kahakai kahakai e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ O ke kahakai kahakai e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ E lohe kākou e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ E lohe kākou e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ E lohe kākou e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ E lohe kākou e ♪ ♪ Pūpū hinuhinu e ♪ ♪ E moe e moe e ♪ ♪ E moe e ♪ (audience cheering and applause) ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (singing in Balinese) ♪ NARRATOR: This is a traditional Balinese song and dance performance to ease the mind for fun.

The song is about Ketut Garling, who is a young fisherman.

He travels around Bali looking for girls and seafood.

His style is Kuta, like someone from Badung.

He walks like someone Tabanan, but his swagger is North Coast.

♪ ♪ He indicates that he is not from the North Coast and that he was not kidding; he was from Kedonganan.

He is a fisherman with a small box of crabs that he sold in Klating for 200 cash.

He actually got 175 cash.

♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ NARRATOR: As the World ʻUkulele program team watched the students' dance performance, they were fascinated and captivated by the Balinese culture.

It is evident that cultural heritage plays a central role in shaping a community's identity, fostering a sense of pride, belonging, and continuity.

It serves as a bridge between past, present, and future, allowing people to understand their roots and the collective journey of their ancestors.

It was wonderful to see Bali preserving its cultural heritage and identity.

It brought much joy and gratitude to the Balinese teachers, students, and us.

It reflected the true Aloha spirit.

(audience cheering and applause) ♪ ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ (audience cheering and applause) ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ NARRATOR: The World ʻUkulele Program was honored to be in the company of Amos Kotomori and the Cudamani School of Balinese Performers, their staff, Judy Mitoma, Dewa Putu Berata, and the support team.

It should be known that 300 elementary, high school students auditioned to participate in this project.

60 finalists participated in a three-day workshop.

30 were selected for ʻukulele, 15 selected for slack key, and 15 for hula.

The three-day workshop concluded with a free concert for the community held at their local Banjar Community Center.

The performance included a 70-piece student gamelan orchestra, traditional Balinese dancers, and showcased the students with the World ʻUkulele Program's teachers and students.

A total of 130 performers participated.

The project went beyond expectations.

The Balinese children were eager, quick to absorb, and make learning fun.

They are innately audio and visual learners.

They comprehend by watching and listening.

You can see their smile change as they embrace the notes.

Their heritage starts at a young age and becomes a lifestyle.

♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ ♪ (guitar music playing) ♪ NARRATOR: Creative arts thrive here because of their rituals and ceremonies.

As it was once said, "It takes a village."

Music creates a bond that lasts a lifetime of friendship and support.

The program was held during Bali's Kulungan ceremonies, a time when ancestors return to prayers of thanksgiving for the goodness of life.

There were so many moments that was like witnessing past lives emerging.

Time stood still and crossed boundaries.

The message was clear, music brings us together.

Music heals.

Music communicates beyond the mind and heart.

A ripple of sharing kindness was started, and the vibration continues.

It is our hope that the vibration of aloha will become the path to bring the world together.

Aloha is sending and receiving positive energy.

Aloha is living in harmony with the act of giving and receiving love.

The World ʻUkulele program was honored to be in Bali and share the Aloha spirit.

(audience cheering and applause).

ALL: Aloha.

STEVE: Two, three.. ♪ Lahaina, I've got a gem ♪ ♪ like no other.

♪ ♪ To all of her sons and daughters, ♪ ♪ who mean so much.

♪ ♪ Lahaina, as sure as time slowly passes.

♪ ♪ The strength and the will to go on will be found.

♪ ♪ Once more.

♪ ♪ We stand.

♪ ♪ We stand for each other.

♪ ♪ Sing it.

♪ ♪ We stand.

♪