Yukihiko Haida

Haida was born on April 24, 1909 to Japanese immigrants in Honolulu. After his father died, Haida went to Japan to place his ashes in the family grave. While in Japan, the 1923 Great Kanto earthquake struck. In the chaos of the aftermath, Haida's family home was robbed, and his passport was stolen. Since he could not return home, Haida enrolled in Dokkyo Junior and Senior High School in Tokyo. He studied for a while at Chuo University, then at Keio University, where he dropped out of school entirely.

In 1928 he and his younger brother, Katsuhiko Haida, formed a Hawaiian music group called the Moana Glee Club. The band popularized the use of the ukulele in Japan.[2] Haida returned to Hawaii temporarily in 1933 to study with M.K. Moke.[3]

Haida began writing and arranging songs, and taught guitar in Koenji, Tokyo in 1935. Some of his students included Fumimaro Konoe's daughter and Kaneko Kentaro's grandchild.[4] He also signed with Victor Records and began recording and publishing music.[3] The band was active until "World War II", when Western music, including Hawaiian music, were banned in 1943. During this time, Haida wrote songs like Suzukaze no Michi, which became a hit when Katsuhiko sang it.

After Japan lost the "World war II" in 1945, Haida and Katsuhiko formed a new band called the New Moana. They also started the Nihon Ukulele Association in 1959.[5]

Haida was honored for his long career and achievements during the 21st Japan Record Awards in 1979.