In Focus | Bruce Spencer

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Bruce Spencer.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I was born and raised on Honolulu, Hawaii and I've been in Kelowna for eight years.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My wife, because she is asking me these In Focus questions....

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Tahiti, it reminds me of how Hawaii used to be 50 years ago.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Oriental Market for my Asian-fusion cooking.

What is your favourite activity?
Mountain Biking.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Burgers.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
I got a call once from the famous actor, Richard Chamberlain to play music for a private party in Hawaii, and I was joking around and goofing off, thinking it was a friend playing a joke and not a celebrity hiring me for a gig. Well, it was Richard Chamberlain and after a slight pause I humbly composed myself and made arrangements to play for his party

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
Playing at care homes/facilities and seeing the enjoyment of music and the participation.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
Walking eight miles with my surf board after school to surf at Waikiki.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I have volunteered with Ukes of Aloha-Weekly Community Ukulele Group at Mountain View Good Samaritan for six years. I also use my time to volunteer my music for Sun Point, Cottonwood, North Wood, Hawthorn and David Lloyd Jones Care Homes. On top of this, I have entertained at the Women's Shelter Christmas Dinner, Tiny Tim Salvation Army Breakfast, Parks Alive for the City of Kelowna and the Annual Hawaiian Week at Big White Resort. I'm also proud to say that I donate blood regularly and I'm close to my 100th donation.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
Heal violence with Aloha.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Mountain Biking. One of my first rides after I moved here was from the lower Mission to Fintry and back. Last year, I purchased my first electric mountain bike and have put 1,500 miles on it exploring Kelowna and West Kelowna. It's a year round activity. I occasionally enjoy weekly group rides with mountain bikers of the Central Okanagan and rides sponsored by various bike shops in town. I enjoy daily rides exploring all the areas, especially East Kelowna, KVR trails and the Crawford area.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
The KVR trails area is just a breath of cool, fresh air! I love the forest and the history of this place and seeing all the wildlife.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
More attention to bike infrastructure in the city. Education for bike public safety and sharing the road. It would be great to see more incentives in this city to grab your bike and explore.

If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
Health.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I played at President Obamas Inauguration in Washington DC.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Ukulele Bruce.

What does your business do?
I share the warm spirit of Aloha through music, from classic tunes to the revered 'Old Hawaiian Sound'.

Why did you get into/start this business?
I was born and raised in Hawaiian culture and influenced at a young age by a family full of musical talent

What is the goal of your business?
To bring awareness to what a little four stringed instrument can do. The ukulele literally translates into Joy or Aloha.

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Taxes!

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
Different. I once had an opportunity to travel internationally and play music, or to take a scholarship to further my musical education. I chose travel and play. A post-secondary music education may have provided me with a more diverse training. However, travel proved to be a valuable and resourceful experience also.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
In doing so we support and build a stronger community. We are blessed in the Okanagan. It is really easy to shop locally and have a positive experience meeting artisans, growers, farmers and crafters in this region.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.