Jonathan Shima, celebrating his 10th birthday, hugged his 'ukulele on a blanket in the shade yesterday as the Sunset Strummers from California belted out "Surfing USA" at the Kapi'olani Park bandstand.

"My dad found it in the trash," Jonathan said, showing off his 'ukulele, "and had it redone."

The Strummers, warming up the crowd, cruised to the Ventura County line, changed direction and headed for Kansas City, 12th Street and Vine and some Kansas City wine.

The tempo increased. Little children began to jump up and down.

Jonathan, a student at Mililani Uka Elementary, said he wanted to learn to play boogie woogie.

Asked if attending the 39th Annual 'Ukulele Festival was the perfect birthday present, Jonathan turned pensive.

"A submarine would be nice," he said.

His dad, Mike Shima, said he would work on that.

Gensblue from Hayama, Japan, was on stage playing an absolutely frenzied version of "White Christmas." It may have seemed out of season but things were merry and bright as the crowd of several thousand waved their hats, cheered, looked cool in shades as they nodded to the music, danced with little children on their shoulders, sang along, clap- ped their hands and played air 'ukulele.

Backstage, Gensblue said he played the Christmas carol because it offered an interesting way to use jazz technique on an old standard.

He said the 'ukulele, which is extremely popular in Japan, is easy to learn, but offers complex options.

"You can go very far with it," he said. "Its music makes people happy and gentle. It makes world peace."

Master of ceremonies Danny Kaleikini, who had the crowd in the palm of his hand all day, introduced The Ukulele 4 Ladies from Sweden.

The four blondes, all dressed in white, crooned lilting lyrics: "Come into my world, I'll be your beautiful girl, beautiful girl shining from the sky, shining from inside."

After they finished Eva Olivia Samuelson, of Gothenburg, said 'ukulele is a huge fad in Sweden. Her club has 300 or more members.

This is her first time in Hawai'i. "You know what I really love the most?" she said. "The friendly people, that you take it so slow here, you take it easy."

On stage the Langley Ukulele Ensemble from Canada was definitely not taking it easy as they furiously pounded out the "William Tell Overture" and "Johnny B. Good."

The festival's nonprofit organization gives a $1,000 scholarship and this year's winner is Colton Manley, a student at Moloka'i High School who is mostly self-taught. He said he took up 'ukulele "because it is accessible, and because of the cultural connection. You can definitely keep on progressing with 'ukulele. There's not a wall you can hit."

Manley plans to attend Azusa Pacific University in Southern California and study graphic design.

The happiest 101-year-old 'ukulele player at Kapi'olani Park yesterday was Bill Tapia, who was born on Punchbowl Avenue on Jan. 1, 1908, and now lives in California.

He charmed the throng, singing "I want to learn to speak Hawaiian so I can say the prettiest things to you." Then he did the racy old rag tune "Manuela Boy."

Afterward, women and girls of all ages lined up backstage to hug and kiss him, have their photos taken with him, get his autograph.

"I sang for the troops at the USO in Honolulu in 1918 in World War I," Tapia said. "I said this is great. It's all I want to do and it's all I ever did."

'Ukulele can definitely get a hold on you.