In a testament to the drawing power of four nylon strings and a koa box, an estimated 1,200 music lovers crowded Kaka'ako Waterfront Park today for the Hawai'i debut of the Japanese-sponsored Ukulele Picnic.

The all-day festival features music from 16 ukulele-strumming acts, including Roy Sakuma, Vaihi, Konishiki, Robi Kahakalau and Jeff Taimane.

The event, which has been staged in Japan for the last 10 years, is co-sponsored by Kazuyuki Sekiguchi, bassist for the popular Japanese pop-rock group Southern All-Stars. Sekiguchi's Ukulele Foundation of Hawai'i is seeking to build an ukulele museum on O'ahu.

The festival continues until 6:30 p.m.