​Yukihiko (Harry) Haida (1909-1986) and his brother Katsuhiko, both nisei (second generation Japanese-Americans), were the first to popularize Hawaiian music in Japan.  Born in Hawaii, they returned to Japan as  young men after their father died.  The Haida brothers began performing as the Moana Glee Club in 1928.  Later Yukihiko established the Nippon Ukulele Association (“NUA”) which played an important role in popularizing the uke and which still holds monthly meetings outside Tokyo.  Yukihiko wrote the NUA theme song Forest Path (森の小径).

The Moon of Colorado (1935)

Forest Path (森の小径)

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