About Ukulele History

Our mission, vision, and the story behind this educational resource

Our Mission

Welcome to Ukulele History, a comprehensive educational resource dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of the ukulele. Our mission is to:

  • Document the fascinating journey of the ukulele from its Hawaiian origins to global popularity
  • Provide accessible, accurate, and engaging historical information for ukulele enthusiasts of all ages
  • Support educators with high-quality resources for teaching music history and cultural studies
  • Build a vibrant community of ukulele history enthusiasts and researchers
  • Preserve the stories, traditions, and innovations that have shaped this beloved instrument

Through our website, we aim to be the definitive online resource for anyone seeking to understand and appreciate the cultural significance, historical development, and enduring appeal of the ukulele.

Various historical ukuleles displayed in a museum setting

Our Story

Founder of Ukulele History website

The Ukulele History project began in 2023 as a passion project by a small team of music historians, educators, and ukulele enthusiasts. What started as a personal collection of research notes and historical photographs quickly evolved into a mission to create the most comprehensive online resource dedicated to ukulele history.

Our founder's journey with the ukulele began over 20 years ago, leading to an ever-growing fascination with the instrument's rich history and cultural significance. After noticing a lack of consolidated, accessible information about ukulele history online, particularly resources suitable for educational purposes, the idea for this website was born.

Today, Ukulele History represents thousands of hours of research, writing, and curation. We've collaborated with museums, interviewed instrument makers, consulted with cultural historians from Hawaii, and combed through archives to bring you the most accurate and engaging content possible.

This website is continuously evolving as we discover new historical information, develop additional educational resources, and expand our content to cover more aspects of ukulele history. We're committed to maintaining the highest standards of historical accuracy while presenting information in accessible and engaging ways.

Our Research Methodology

How we ensure historical accuracy and cultural respect in our content

Primary Sources

We prioritize primary historical sources including letters, catalogs, patents, photographs, advertisements, and contemporary accounts whenever possible. Our team has accessed archives at musical instrument museums, libraries, and private collections to ensure historical accuracy.

Cultural Consultants

To ensure cultural sensitivity and authenticity, particularly regarding Hawaiian history and traditions, we consult with cultural practitioners and scholars from Hawaii. We recognize the importance of presenting this history with respect for its cultural origins.

Academic Review

Our content undergoes review by music historians and organologists (musical instrument scholars) to verify accuracy. We maintain relationships with academic institutions specializing in musical instrument history and ethnomusicology.

Acknowledgments

We're grateful to the many individuals and organizations who have contributed to this project

This website would not be possible without the generous support and contributions of numerous individuals and organizations in the ukulele community:

Institutions

  • The Musical Instrument Museum, Phoenix
  • Bishop Museum, Honolulu
  • The Library of Congress
  • National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Archives
  • Hawaiian Historical Society
  • University of Hawaii Music Department

Individuals

  • Jim Beloff, ukulele historian and author
  • John King, ukulele virtuoso and researcher
  • George Kahumoku Jr., Grammy Award-winning slack key guitarist
  • The Kamaka family
  • Jake Shimabukuro
  • And the many collectors who allowed us to photograph their instruments

We also extend our thanks to the numerous educators who have provided feedback on our educational resources, the ukulele enthusiasts who have submitted historical photographs and stories, and the players around the world who keep the tradition of this remarkable instrument alive.

Contact Us

Get in touch with the Ukulele History team

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