One of Ivy Mach's most precious belongings is the mahogany 'ukulele that Santa Claus gave her for Christmas last year.

Just 5 years old and having only learned to play over the past six months, Ivy is already performing. This weekend she will take the stage along with about 920 other 'ukulele players at the 37th annual Ukulele Festival in Kapi'olani Park.

Ivy likes the festival "because there are lots of children," and the 'ukulele "because it is small."

The festival, founded by Roy Sakuma in 1970, this year will headline top 'ukulele players from the Mainland, Guam, Japan, London and New Zealand, including performers such as Jake Shimabukuro, Ohta-San, Danny Kaleikini and Manoa DNA.

But the real stars of the festival are the children, Sakuma said.

"The concept is to let the children be the stars and the entertainers support the children," said Sakuma. He and his wife, Kathy, organize the festival each year and set up the Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a nonprofit organization that works year-round in planning and putting on the festival.

The Sakumas have been teaching 'ukulele for decades at their four studios on O'ahu. They say the festival is hard work, but it is important to make it as fun for the performers and audience every year.

This year the festival will try to break the Guinness World Records for the most people playing the 'ukulele at a single time, most of the performers children. Sakuma said he had not yet heard back from Guinness World Records on the current record number but believes that Sunday's performance in Waikiki will be a record-setter.

"It's worth every ounce of work and even more because of the smiles and happiness of the children," said Sakuma. "It's seeing how the children and especially the families ... look forward to the event."

THOUSANDS EXPECTED

The festival, which is free, draws a crowd of 7,000 to 10,000 people annually.

"Its a family tradition," said Beullah Olanolan, whose son Pakela, 13, will perform in the festival. "We get together with family and hang out the whole day under the tent."

Olanolan, an employee of Bank of Hawaii — the festival's main sponsor along with Starbucks — helps the Sakumas in getting donations and working with companies to provide sponsorships.

She said almost everyone in her family plays the 'ukulele. Her husband arrives at the bandstand at 6 a.m. every year on festival day to grab a prime viewing spot for their tent, while she packs the drinks and musubis.

"It's great to have an event that pays tribute to the 'ukulele in Hawai'i," she said. "It spreads the aloha over the world."

Spreading the spirit of aloha and showcasing the 'ukulele is exactly what Roy Sakuma had in mind 37 years ago.

"Back in the '60s, the instrument of choice was the guitar," said Sakuma. "The 'ukulele was thought of as a toy."

'A GREAT BLEND'

Sakuma said he was part of a slim minority that was passionate about the 'ukulele and wanted others to realize that it could be used as a solo instrument.

"What makes the 'ukulele festival is it brings both novice and professional players together, young and old," said Kathy Sakuma. "It's a great blend of sound."

She said that the festival will headline student performers from 5 to 80 years old — some of whom have grown up to teach, as the Sakumas do.

"I was inspired by my instructor," said 18-year-old Jolie Takazono, who has been teaching 'ukulele for almost five years. "It was just a joy to be around her, so just being able to spread the joy of music to other people ... sounded like a good thing to do."

Takazono is one of the 25 instructors at the Sukumas' Kane'ohe studio. Takazono said her favorite part of teaching is interacting with the children and watching them perform, all the while learning to love the 'ukulele as much as she does.

"The 'ukulele embodies just Hawai'i in general," she said. "We have our own unique style, and here it is in this little instrument with four strings."