If any barriers are hindering Japan and the United States from achieving ultimate social harmony, Jake Shimabukuro hopes that his music can break the ice.

Born and raised in Hawaii, the fifth-generation Japanese-American ukulele virtuoso gets the best of both worlds with a 'Wa' on the outside and 'Aloha' on the inside.

"I have always felt that Hawaii is the perfect bridge to connect Japan to the United States, because Hawaii is its own unique culture and place. We are part of the U.S. but people don't really feel that way," Shimabukuro says.