When was the ukulele introduced to hawaii

The ukulele's popularity on the mainland waned after the s with the beginnings of rock and roll. Where before every child wanted a ukulele, now they wanted a guitar. But the ukulele's easy playability and unique sound is helping it make a comeback in the present, with ukulele songs by Jason Mraz and Train making it onto the top 40 radio stations.

Of course, the ukulele never lost popularity in Hawaii. Another name to know is Jake Shimabukuro, who is considered by many to be a virtuoso on the ukulele. Jake is also notable for reaching worldwide attention from a single viral video on Youtube.

Beloff, J. The ukulele: a visual history. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. Another account of how the ukulele got its name is based on the understanding that the Englishman Edward Purvis played the instrument. Edward Purvis acted as an Assistant Chamberlain to King David Kalakaua, the last reigning King of Hawaii, and a man who was very influential in the early life of the ukulele. Purvis was thought to have been nicknamed 'ukulele' due to his small stature and his energetic personality.

Eventually, it is thought that the instrument that he played for the King also adopted this name. Yet more tales about how the ukulele got its name survive, with several different translations of the term being used as evidence. The last Hawaiian monarch, Queen Lili'uokalani, has been recorded as explaining that the term 'ukulele' in fact means 'the gift that came here' with 'uku' translating to 'gift or reward' and 'lele' translating to 'to come' which indeed is a much different perspective, and one that has nothing at all to do with fleas!

After its arrival in Hawaii, the ukulele was quickly adopted into Hawaiian culture. King David Kalakaua was very fond of the small instrument, which is acknowledged as a key factor that led to the ukulele becoming so popular.

King Kalakaua was passionate about developing Hawaiian culture in the face of the opposition posed by missionary groups, who themselves saw native cultures as uncivilized, and whose aim was to convert native peoples to Christian worship and Christian values.

King Kalakaua promoted the fusion of modern art forms with traditional aspects of Hawaiian culture in order to re-ignite interest in Hawaiian culture. It is King Kalakaua who promoted the ukulele as a Hawaiian instrument, and used the instrument at formal royal functions, to play traditional Hawaiian music, and to accompany hula.

After the Portuguese settlers Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias and Jose do Espirito Santo had finished their work on the early Hawaiian sugar plantations, they are thought to have returned to their woodworking roots in Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii. In , all three men were listed in the city directory as being 'guitar makers'. As the ukulele became more popular under the patronage of King David Kalakaua, more ukuleles were made by these three men. Title: Ukulele.

Date: ca. Geography: Hawaii, United States. Culture: Hawaiian. Medium: Mahogany, hardwood, metal. Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted. Accession Number: Visiting The Met? Back to Blog Origin of the Ukulele Topics: Culture The iconic Hawaiian instrument, the ukulele, is a favorite among locals and tourists, but where did this miniature four-string guitar come from? The ukulele no doubt captures the essence of Hawaii with its soothing sound, and instantly brings people into a nostalgic place reminiscing on their favorite Hawaiian memories.