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The Sounds of Hawaii: Ukulele
LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY BEGINNINGS
The ukulele is perhaps the most quintessentially Hawaiian instrument. Artists spread the instrument's fame beyond Hawai'i with their virtuoso stylings, concerts, and recordings. The island calendars are filled with wonderful ukulele concerts. And yet, it is believed that the lilting sounds of the versatile ukulele were not introduced to the Hawaiian Islands until 1879 when Portuguese master craftsman and instrument maker Manuel Nunes arrived in the islands with Joao Fernandes and Augustine Dias. Together, this trio invented and developed the ukulele, drawing inspiration from the braguinha, a Portuguese stringed instrument. The beauty of the music deeply impressed Hawaiians who embraced this new instrument. Ukulele, which means "jumping fleas," aptly describes the speed of the musicians' fingers as they fly over the keyboard.
In the early 1900s, the ukulele was introduced on the U.S. mainland at various exhibitions. By the 1930s, this small, distinctive instrument was renowned across the world thanks to a radio program entitled "Hawai'i Calls." Cliff Edwards, also known as Ukulele Ike, and Ray Smeck, were mainland musicians who featured the ukulele as a solo instrument. In the 1940s, Hawaiian artists Jesse Kalima and Eddie Bush were instrumental in developing modern Hawaiian music that incorporated the ukulele. During the 1950s, Lyle Ritz and Herb Ohta, also called Ohta-Sahn, began releasing albums showcasing the ukulele as a lead instrument. In 1960, ukulele legend Eddie Kamae and slack key guitar virtuoso Gabby Pahinui organized the famous band, the Sons of Hawai'i.
CONTEMPORARY UKULELE ARTISTS
Today's leading ukulele artists continue to popularize and redefine this beloved Hawaiian instrument. Troy Fernandez and Ernie Cruz Jr. teamed as the Ka'au Crater Boys in the early 1990s. Fernandez is well known his lightening fast picking and innovative stylings and was influential in the ukulele renaissance of the early 1990s. Peter Moon, a highly reputed slack key guitarist and a founder of the Contemporary Hawaiian sound is also a noted ukulele player who features the instrument on his albums.
Jake Shimabukuro, one of the world's foremost ukulele artists, made his debut on Pure Heart's "Europe" album in 1998 and caused a sensation with his virtuoso playing. Shimabukuro sees unlimited potential in the ukulele and plays a range of musical styles from jazz, blues, and funk, to classical, folk, and rock. Herb Ohta, Jr, son of the renowned ukulele artist Ohta-San, is a popular ukulele musician committed to sharing the beauty of Hawaiian music, culture, and ukulele with people around the world. Also on the rise is young Brittni Paiva, an award winning ukulele and slack key guitar artist who released three albums by age 18.
LEARNING THE UKULELE:
KOALOHA 'UKULELE LESSON WITH GORDON MARK
Tuesdays, 7-9:30 p.m.
With his repertoire of over 1,000 songs, Gordon Mark transcends any perceived limitations one might have of the 'ukulele. He brings to fruition the rich harmonies of jazz standards and the complex counterpoints found in classical pieces on this unassuming, four-stringed instrument. Gordon has performed as a soloist throughout Hawai'i—most notably with the Honolulu Symphony. He is recognized as one of the state's foremost 'ukulele instructors.
STRUM ALONG 'UKULELE CLASS AT MANA HAWAI'I, WAIKĪKĪ BEACH WALK
Thursdays, 10-11 a.m.
The 'ukulele is a favorite instrument of locals-young and old. Everyone plays, and if you don't, you should learn! We'll teach some basic chords and a few melodies so you can strum along. Take a lesson or two, watch someone else play, do what ever it takes to join in—that's the Island way.
'UKULELE LESSONS AT ROYAL HAWAIIAN CENTER
Tuesday-Friday, 10-11 a.m.
This uniquely Hawaiian musical instrument has its origins with the first Portuguese immigrants to Hawai'i. Puakeala Mann teaches visitors how to strum simple island tunes on Tuesdays and Thursdays; learn to play this unique musical instrument with lessons taught by local entertainer, Wainani Yim, on Wednesdays and Fridays.
FACTORY TOURS:
KOALOHA 'UKULELE
One of O'ahu's premier 'ukulele factories, KoAloha 'Ukulele offers narrated walking tours through its factory coupled with an 'ukulele lesson or an extended walking tour through Kalihi that showcases the area's featured businesses. Both tours are one-hour.
www.koaloha.com
KANILE'A 'UKULELE
Located on the beautiful windward side of O'ahu in Kāne'ohe, the factory proudly designs and builds each part of its instruments with products found only in Hawai'i. Tours through the shop show guests see where the instruments are built in a fully-enclosed assembly area, which allows controlling of temperature and humidity throughout the construction process.
www.kanileaukulele.com
KAMAKA HAWAI'I
Established in 1916 in the Territory of Hawai'i, the family-owned and operated business has been dedicated to building skillfully-handcrafted 'ukuleles for nearly a century. The heritage of 'ukulele making at Kamaka Hawai'i is preserved by second and third generation Hawaiian luthiers, as well as the many talented craftsmen at the Kaka'ako factory in Honolulu.
www.kamakahawaii.com
