Between 1878 and 1913, more than 20,000 Portuguese men, women, and children undertook the hazardous voyage from Madeira, the Azores, and mainland Portugal to behind a new life in the Hawaiian Island.

In 1879, the 'ukulele, called the Braginho in Braga, Portugal, made the long voyage to Honolulu, Hawaii.

The "Original" Baby Guitar
The Resurgence of the 'Ukulele

Recently, it seems that the latest guitar wave is the "baby" guitar. It's small, easy to carry and hold, and easy for travel. But the true baby guitar has been with us for many years; yes, the famous 'ukulele.

Its greatest popularity today is throughout Polynesia, and especially in the Hawaiian Islands. However, the 'ukulele is making its comeback everywhere, from the eastern United States to Japan and Europe.

Professional performers such as Lyle Ritz, Led Kaapana, Herb Ohta, Chino Montero, Troy Fernandez, Ben Chong, Peter Moon, Byron Yasui, Andy Sexton, B.B. Shawn, Moe Keale, Tracey Terada, Jake Shimobokura, and many more are proving that the 'ukulele has, and always will have its place in the lineup of stringed instruments.

Our "little" guitar has between 4 and 10 strings and is actually big on tone and sweet in sound. It can be used as a solo instrument, or accompaniment to most any music, from classical to jazz, and now country, reggae, and rock.

Although dearly loved now by the people Hawaii, the 'ukulele was not always appreciated. It was at first ridiculed as a "hideous Portuguese instrument" by so-called respectable people who were used to the traditional stringed instruments.

Portuguese sailors and traders first brought the "little guitar" to Hawaii, and it was actually introduced and played publicly for the first time by a Portuguese immigrant named Joao Fernandez, in 1879. The 'ukulele was then called the Braginho because the first one had been manufactured in the province of Braga, Portugal.

It was also known as a cavaquinhos, which means "small piece of wood." But the name "ukulele (pronounced oo-koo-lay-lay) was adopted, and has now been accepted today throughout the world. 'Uku in Hawaiian means flea, thus the nickname "jumping flea."

Fernandez was a real virtuoso. He had a fantastic ability to play and entertain fellow passengers on the long voyage from Madeira, Portugal to Honolulu, Hawaii with the "braginho" of another passenger, who was unable to play it. The story goes that he could play any song once he heard it, and his nimble, flying fingers plucked the melody and strummed the chords.

Quickly the Ali'i (the Hawaiian Royalty) including King Kalakaua, Queeen Emma, and the future queen, Liliuokalani (all themselves accomplished musicians) commanded performances, and in no time all Hawaiians were in love with this new musical instrument.

By the early 1900's anyone with the skill to manufacture found an open market. Hawaii's first 'ukulele maker was a furniture maker who scrapped his furniture business to produce 'ukuleles exclusively. At that time an 'ukulele sold for about $5.00, and many were actually well made, and sounded good.

The 'ukulele craze caught on, business boomed, and eventually the U.S. mainland manufacturers began mass production. Consequently, Hawaii's builders began losing money. Mainland companies cashed in on the advertisements long used in Hawaii, linking the 'ukulele with luaus, moonlit nights, and the romance of the islands. When the chairman of the Hawaiian Promotion Committee wrote a note of protest to a music store in San Francisco, California, a nasty letter came back saying that Hawaii shouldn't complain, because "the mainland companies were turning out better 'ukuleles".

Consequently, at that time, the Honolulu Ad Club patented the 'ukulele, making it Hawaii's very own. During World War I there was a booming 'ukulele business, but by the end of the 1920's the craze was dying off.

Gradually, most Hawaiian manufacturers gave up; however today many new builders in Hawaii have emerged, producing the finest 'ukuleles ever made. Although 'ukuleles are again built around the world, Hawaii can still say that the 'ukulele is its "own".

Many woods are used in the construction of the 'ukulele; however, the most common and most revered is the beautiful Koa tree. Other excellent woods used are Mahogany, Mango, Kamani, Milo, Kulawood (Gold Shower Tree), and top woods such as Spruce, Cedar, and Sequoia Redwood. Sizes range from the small Soprano (in Hawaii it is called Standard), the Concert, Tenor, and Baritone, and even the recent Solid Body Cutaway, all with a variety of string combinations including 4, 6, 8, and even 10 for the steel string Tiple.

Normally plain and wound nylon strings are used, but some builders use steel strings. Yes, the resurgence of the 'ukulele is real, and it seems this time, it's here to stay. Entire clubs and museums have been organized. Stores now are devoted exclusively to the 'ukulele, and annual 'Ukulele Festivals are celebrated in the San Francisco area and of course, Honolulu.

So, in a world of stress and sorrow, our littlest "baby" guitar, the 'ukulele, will warm your heart and make you smile.

John Kitakis Ko'olau Guitar and 'Ukulele Company Kaneohe, Hawaii