Ukulele Retreats
Photo: Larry Santos
Join us for our 6th annual
‘Ukulele Retreat Hawai‘i!
March 14-18, 2027
Now accepting deposits:
Deposit refundable until November 24, 2026
Our 2026 ‘Ukulele Retreat Hawai‘i was magical! We can’t wait to create new amazing memories with our attendees in 2027 for our 6th annual retreat. This intimate retreat has a limited capacity of 75 participants. This event sells out every year, so please book your spot early to ensure you don’t miss out on the fun!
This retreat is catered to Confident Beginners - Advanced Players.
If you consider yourself a true beginner, please contact Marion to see what skills you need to learn to ensure you get the most out of this event.
What does my retreat pricing include?
We have been hard at work making this retreat better and better each year. After feedback from our 2026 attendees, we are excited to announce we’ll be adding a second catered dinner and more cultural classes. Base price is around $3,800.
All ‘Ukulele & Cultural Programming
Sunday Evening Concert
3 Catered Lunches
Recordings of all workshops after the event ends
Guest Instructors & Performers throughout
4 Night Stay at the Kahala Hotel & Resort
*Base price is predicated on room availability of the Golf Mountain View Category. Subject to change once our contracted amount of rooms is reached. Book early to ensure your preferred room category. Contact Marion for pricing and questions.
Why come to ‘Ukulele Retreat Hawai‘i?
Imagine spending a week where your only assignment is to play, learn, and connect. 'Ukulele Retreat Hawai‘i isn’t just a series of music lessons, it’s an intimate, immersive experience designed for players who want to truly elevate their skills while grounding themselves in the birthplace of the instrument. Held at the Kahala Hotel & Resort in Honolulu, this retreat offers a peaceful sanctuary right on the beach, providing the perfect creative backdrop to focus entirely on your musical journey.
What sets this retreat apart is the depth of the learning and the quality of the instruction. Led by Craig and Sarah, alongside an elite lineup of world-class guest artists, the daily curriculum balances rigorous workshops with supportive, small-group breakout sessions tailored to your skill level. You won't just learn a few chords and songs; you’ll dive deep into technique, performance, and musicality, walking away with a wealth of lifelong resources including PDFs and video recordings of every class, so you can keep growing your musical skills even when you are home.
But ask anyone who has been, and they will tell you that the true magic lies in the community. From the spontaneous strum-alongs to the supportive evening open mics, the retreat is intentionally designed to feel like an ‘ohana. It is a welcoming, uplifting space where you can share your passion with like minded friends from around the world, leaving you deeply inspired, re-energized, and fundamentally changed as a musician.
Why the Kahala Hotel and Resort?
We wanted you to be inspired, not only by the teaching, but by our location as well. With their spacious sleeping rooms and the beach being mere feet away, we know you will absolutely love this beautiful venue located on the outskirts of Honolulu.
Though it is out of the main city, it has a free shuttle to take you to the Kahala Mall and Waikīkī.
They have a Hertz Car Rental on site.
The Kahala hosts its own cultural activities such as lei making, basket weaving, hula, and more.
They also have boogie board, snorkel gear, stand up paddle board, kayak, and bike rentals. There are also daily yoga glasses available as well.
Enjoy their onsite dolphins via their Dolphin Quest Program. Participation in a Dolphin Quest experience supports vital marine mammal conservation, education and scientific study.
Meet our Hawai‘i Retreat Staff!
More Special Guest Artist and Teachers to be Announced Soon!
-

Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel
Hosts & Instructors
-

Marion Koleski
Travel Agent & Coordinator
-

Neal Chin
Core Staff
-

Cory Mau
Core Staff
-

Herb Ohta Jr.
Core Staff
Join us for our ‘Ukulele Retreat San Diego!
July 2027 - Full Dates to be announced soon!
This intimate retreat will have limited availability of 50 participants. Make your deposit to ensure you don’t miss out on this amazing experience.
Deposit refundable until November 15
Due to our contractual agreement with the hotel, commuter rates will only be offered after our room block is fully booked. If classroom space is still available at that time, Marion will send out an e-mail to those that inquired.
Considering joining our retreat? Listen to what our attendees had to say!
More information for 2027 coming soon!
Who is this Retreat For?
Curriculum will be geared for Confident Beginners to Advanced players.
Confident Beginners are players that know most of their first position chords, some barre chords, and are comfortable with a handful of picking and strumming patterns. Though they do not need to read tablature, it will be beneficial if they have a basic understanding of it.
Breakout sessions will allow us to work with different levels in smaller groups
Meet our San Diego Retreat Staff!
More Special Guest Artist and Teachers to be Announced Soon!
-

Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel
Hosts & Instructors
-

Marion Koleski
Travel Agent & Coordinator
-

Neal Chin
Core Staff
-

Cory Mau
Core Staff
What others have to say about Craig & Sarah’s events
“You created a life-changing event. Seriously. I was aware of the passion, talent, joy, and incredibly supportive community that has gathered worldwide around the ukulele. But this was the first time I had experienced the full depth and breadth of that in person.”
“LOVED the retreat! Craig and Sarah give so much of themselves, and I know the organization of the event must be enormous!”
“Wonderful retreat and I look forward to going to more in the future. I’ve learned a tremendous amount and look forward to applying it to my practice and playing.”
“I think Sarah and Craig are marvelous teachers. I have the great opportunity to attend workshops and I always come away learning a ton and having fun too. They are nurturing teachers and they make me feel like I have potential and something to offer.”
PAST IN PERSON RETREATS
‘Ukulele Retreat Hawai‘i
March 16-20, 2025
‘Ukulele Retreat Hawai‘i
March 17-21, 2023
‘Ukulele Retreat Hawai‘i
March 5-10, 2023
‘Ukulele Retreat Hawai‘i - March 20-24, 2022
Craig made a point of doing DAILY Vlogs for our very first in person retreat and it was an incredible experience.