Hawaii Ukulele
Back in the plantation days in 1879, Portuguese immigrants from the island of Madeira arrived on the "Ravenscroft" carrying small four-stringed instruments that were the fathers of today's Ukuleles. In no time, ukes were heard all over the islands, day and night, with King David Kalakaua and his royal entourage among the musical aficandos.
The uke hit the big time on the Mainland around World War I and was popularized by legions of crooners and entertainers on records and radio, and in the movies until the swinging '60s, when it lost a little luster.
But now the Ukulele's back lending its voice to such legends as Israel Kamakawewoole, the Makaha Sons, and the Royal Hawaiian Ukulele Band.
There are three legends of how the uke got its name. One is that it means "the gift that came here," and the other is that the little uek was first called "ukeke lele" (dancing ukeke, because it looked like a Hawaii musical stringed-bow.
But the one everyone will tell you is the truth is that "Ukulele" means "jumping flea" because they're so small and the player's fingers move around the uke so quickly.
• Bounty Music Hawaii Ukulele Guide
• Jumping Flea- How the Ukulele Came to Hawai'i
• Uke Strummer's Chord Collection and ukulele chords
