Starting ‘Ukulele with Mele

…In January 2025, I began teaching ʻukulele classes on a Holland America world cruise. It was the beginning of ʻUkulele with Mele—though I didn’t fully realize it yet.

Then, on my final contract aboard the Oceania Vista, something unexpected happened.

I wasn’t even supposed to be teaching ʻukulele.

But I ran into a former student from that very first class—Lois. She came up to me and said, “You’re my ʻukulele teacher! Because of you, I kept going—and look where I am now.”

One year later… she was still playing.

The joy I felt in that moment—it hit differently. It wasn’t about a class. It wasn’t about a contract. It was about impact. About something continuing long after I had left…