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West Seattle Ukulele Trio

Live Hawaiian Music
in Seattle

Tumbleweed Island brings the warmth of traditional Hawaiian melodies, gentle island rhythms, and the aloha spirit to events across Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Close your eyes and you can almost smell the plumeria.

Book Us for Your Event Tumbleweed Island ukulele with hibiscus flowers and cowboy boots

What Makes Hawaiian Music So Special?

Hawaiian music is one of the most distinctly joyful musical traditions in the world. Rooted in the chants and songs of the native Hawaiian people, it evolved over centuries to blend the warmth of Polynesian melody with the lush harmonies brought by missionaries and musicians from around the world.

At its heart, Hawaiian music is about connection — to the land, the ocean, family, and community. There's a reason the ukulele is one of the most beloved instruments on the planet.

Whether it's the gentle strum of a tenor ukulele, the warm round tone of a baritone, or the steady pulse of a bass, live Hawaiian music creates an atmosphere that's impossible to replicate with a playlist. It's warm, inclusive, and — crucially — it invites people to sing along.

How Tumbleweed Island Does It

As a Seattle ukulele trio rooted in West Seattle's ukulele community, we bring genuine love for the Hawaiian tradition to every performance. We don't just play the songs — we play them the way they were meant to be heard: warm, unhurried, and full of heart.

Galen on baritone ukulele, Paula on tenor ukulele, and Mike on bass create a rich, layered sound that's bigger than you'd expect from three people and four strings. Add three-part harmony vocals and a repertoire packed with songs your audience already knows and loves, and you've got live Hawaiian music that actually moves people.

We're based in West Seattle but available throughout the greater Seattle area and Pacific Northwest for events of all sizes. See our upcoming shows →

Hawaiian Songs We Play

Hawaiian music sits at the heart of what we do. Our set features a core group of Hawaiian classics alongside swing, Americana, and vintage favorites — all arranged for three voices and three instruments, and designed to fill a room with warmth.

Blue Hawaii Hanalei Moon Lahaina Luna My Little Grass Shack On a Coconut Island On the Beach at Waikiki Sophisticated Hula Tiny Bubbles Ukulele Lady

We also weave in Western swing and vintage American classics that sit naturally alongside the Hawaiian material — think of it as the full island experience, with cowboy boots. See selections from our repertoire →

Events That Love Live Hawaiian Music

Hawaiian music is remarkably versatile — it works as background ambiance, as a singalong centerpiece, or anywhere in between. Here's where we shine:

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Luaus & Hawaiian Themed Events — The obvious one, and we deliver. Live Hawaiian music from an actual ukulele trio beats a Spotify playlist every time.
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Seattle Breweries & Taprooms — Aloha vibes pair beautifully with a cold pint. We're regulars at Beveridge Place Pub in West Seattle. Come by and see why a cold pint and a ukulele trio is a combination that just works.
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Wedding Cocktail Hours — Hawaiian music creates a warm, romantic atmosphere perfect for cocktail hours and rehearsal dinners.
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Community Events & Festivals — From West Seattle community gatherings to Seattle-area festivals, we bring the neighborhood together with music everyone loves. West Seattle has one of the most connected neighborhood communities in Seattle, as anyone who reads the West Seattle Blog already knows.
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Farmers Markets — Outdoor performances are some of our favorites. Hawaiian music under the open sky feels exactly right.
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Corporate Events — Looking for Seattle event entertainment that's memorable and inclusive? Hawaiian music crosses every demographic effortlessly.

The Seattle Ukulele Community

The Seattle area has one of the most vibrant ukulele communities in the Pacific Northwest. Whether you're an experienced player, a curious beginner, or just someone who loves the sound of a uke, there's a group for you. Here are some of the organizations keeping the aloha spirit alive in the region:

West Seattle Ukulele Players (WSUP)

Our home community — the West Seattle group where Tumbleweed Island got its start. A welcoming, active group of ukulele enthusiasts right here in the neighborhood.

Seattle Ukulele Players Association (SUPA)

One of the longest-running ukulele organizations in the Seattle area, SUPA brings together players of all levels for jams and events across the city.

STRUM

A fun and friendly Seattle-area ukulele group dedicated to spreading the joy of the instrument through regular meetups and community jams. In the summer you can catch them playing outdoors at the Ballard Locks — an absolute delight.

Eastside Ukulele Players Association (ESUPA)

Serving the Eastside communities of the greater Seattle area, ESUPA welcomes players from all backgrounds and skill levels.

Magic Key

A Seattle-area ukulele group that takes it to the stage — Magic Key performs publicly and brings the joy of ukulele music to audiences across the region.

Hawaiian Music FAQ

Absolutely — Hawaiian music is at the heart of what we do. We can tailor our setlist to lean fully into the Hawaiian tradition for luau-themed events, or blend it with our swing and Americana repertoire for a more eclectic feel. You choose the vibe, we bring the aloha.

Hawaiian shirts are strongly encouraged — at least for us. You're free to wear whatever you like. We're always happy to dress to match your event's theme.

Not at all. Hawaiian music works beautifully as background ambiance for almost any event — its warmth and gentle rhythms create a welcoming atmosphere without demanding attention. We mix Hawaiian classics with swing and vintage Americana so there's something for everyone in the room. If you're looking for something purely instrumental, our friends at The South Seas do beautiful all-instrumental Hawaiian music out of Bainbridge Island.

We're based in West Seattle and perform throughout the greater Seattle area and Pacific Northwest. Travel fees may apply for events further afield — get in touch and we'll work something out.

Just send us an email at tumbleweedisland@gmail.com with your event date, location, and a little about what you're planning. We'll get back to you with availability and a quote.

Bring the Aloha Spirit to Your Seattle Event

Tumbleweed Island is available for events across Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Get in touch to check availability.

tumbleweedisland@gmail.com Back to the Island