Hurry! Don't miss out! Yamaha, the giant musical-instrument manufacturer, is offering three-month ukulele courses! Or, the more adventurous can avail themselves of the services of travel agents at JTB who are promoting a six-day tour -- or an eight-day rongubakeeshon (long vacation) tour of Hawaii, where they can study the ukulele in a "fun program of local culture."
Not tempted? Maybe you were simply born too late, into the wrong generation. These fascinating activities are targeting the so-called dankai no sedai (baby boomers).
As JTB says in its promotional material for the Hawaiian getaway, "The key phrase for products aimed at the dankai no sedai is 'Travel with a Purpose, Travel with Ease.' " The purpose in this case is ukulele practice. The ukulele, apparently, is the new instrument of choice for people in their 60s. It's great news for Hawaii; and Hilo Hattie, were she alive, would be hula-dancing all the way to the bank.