Hawaiian Origins of the Ukulele | Portuguese Influence on Ukulele History

How the Ukulele Was Born in Hawaii

The ukulele, despite being synonymous with Hawaiian culture, has its roots in Portuguese instruments brought to the islands in the late 19th century. This fascinating story of cultural exchange and innovation demonstrates how musical traditions can evolve when different cultures meet.

Portuguese immigrants arriving in Hawaii in the 1870s

Portuguese Immigration

Learn about the wave of Portuguese immigration to Hawaii that brought the machete instrument to the islands.

Portuguese machete instrument, ancestor of the ukulele

The Machete

Discover the Portuguese stringed instrument that would evolve into the ukulele.

King Kalakaua, Hawaiian monarch who promoted the ukulele

Royal Patronage

Explore how King Kalākaua's support elevated the ukulele in Hawaiian culture.

Hawaiian sugar plantation where Portuguese immigrants worked

Portuguese Immigration to Hawaii

In 1879, over 400 Portuguese immigrants from Madeira and the Azores arrived in Hawaii aboard the ship Ravenscrag. They came to work in Hawaii's expanding sugar industry, bringing with them their culture, traditions, and musical instruments.

Among these immigrants were three men who would play crucial roles in developing the ukulele: Manuel Nunes, José do Espírito Santo, and Augusto Dias. All three were skilled woodworkers and instrument makers from Madeira.

These craftsmen brought with them the machete (also known as the braguinha or cavaquinho), a small four-stringed instrument that would be the direct ancestor of the ukulele. The machete was popular in Madeira and was often played by sailors and at festive gatherings.

Notable Portuguese Immigrants:

Manuel Nunes - Often credited as the primary inventor of the ukulele
José do Espírito Santo - Early ukulele maker who established a workshop in Hawaii
Augusto Dias - Skilled instrument maker who contributed to early ukulele design

From Portuguese Machete to Hawaiian Ukulele

The Portuguese Machete

The machete that the Portuguese brought to Hawaii had several characteristics that would influence the ukulele:

Small body with a figure-eight shape
Four strings
Made of local Madeiran woods
Tuned differently than the modern ukulele

The machete was popular in Portugal for accompanying folk dances and songs. Its small size made it ideal for travel, including the long journey to Hawaii.

Hawaiian Adaptations

Once in Hawaii, the instrument underwent several changes:

Local koa wood replaced European woods
The tuning was modified to what is now standard for ukuleles
Design elements were adapted to suit Hawaiian musical styles
Playing techniques evolved to create a distinctive sound

Comparison of a Portuguese machete and early Hawaiian ukulele

Key Differences: Machete vs. Ukulele

Feature	Portuguese Machete	Hawaiian Ukulele
Wood	European woods	Hawaiian koa
Tuning	D-G-B-D	G-C-E-A
Size	Slightly smaller	Various sizes developed
Playing Style	Finger picking	Strumming and picking

The Name "Ukulele": Origins and Meaning

Artistic representation of 'jumping flea' - the meaning behind ukulele

The "Jumping Flea" Theory

The most widely accepted explanation for the name "ukulele" comes from the Hawaiian words "uku" (flea) and "lele" (jumping). This name was supposedly inspired by the quick finger movements of Edward Purvis, a British army officer who was an assistant to King Kalākaua.

Purvis was small in stature and particularly skilled at playing the instrument. His nimble fingers moving rapidly across the fingerboard reminded Hawaiians of jumping fleas, leading to the nickname "ukulele" for both Purvis and eventually the instrument itself.

Alternative Theories

There are other explanations for the name:

The Gift Theory: "Uku" can also mean "gift" and "lele" can mean "to come," suggesting the instrument was a "gift that came" to Hawaii.
The Queen's Jewels: Some stories link the name to Queen Lili'uokalani, who may have described the player's fingers as "dancing like fleas" over the strings.

Whatever the true origin, the name "ukulele" was firmly established by the 1890s and has remained the instrument's name ever since, recognized worldwide.

Royal Patronage: King Kalākaua and the Ukulele

The Merrie Monarch

King David Kalākaua, who ruled the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1874 to 1891, played a crucial role in the popularization of the ukulele. Known as the "Merrie Monarch" for his love of arts, music, and festivities, Kalākaua actively promoted Hawaiian culture during a time when it was being suppressed by missionary influence.

The king was a musician himself and incorporated the ukulele into royal gatherings at his Iolani Palace. He encouraged its playing at official functions and included ukulele performances in royal entertainment.

Cultural Renaissance

Kalākaua's reign marked a renaissance of Hawaiian cultural practices, and the ukulele became a symbol of this cultural revival. By elevating the status of the instrument through royal patronage, Kalākaua helped establish the ukulele as an emblem of Hawaiian identity.

The king's support had practical benefits for the instrument makers as well. Royal endorsement meant increased demand for ukuleles among Hawaiians and visitors alike, helping the early craftsmen establish successful businesses.

King Kalākaua at Iolani Palace where ukulele music was performed

King Kalākaua's Contribution to Hawaiian Music

Revived suppressed traditional Hawaiian chants and dances
Composed several songs still popular today, including "Hawaii Ponoi" (the state anthem)
Established regular royal concerts featuring Hawaiian instruments
Supported instrument makers like Nunes, Dias, and Santo
Helped integrate the ukulele into traditional Hawaiian music

The First Ukulele Makers

Manuel Nunes

Often credited as the primary inventor of the ukulele, Nunes established his shop in Honolulu in the 1880s. He advertised himself as "Inventor of the Hawaiian Ukulele" and produced instruments until the 1920s. His designs set the standard for early ukuleles.

Augusto Dias

Dias was known for his high-quality craftsmanship and established his workshop in Honolulu shortly after arriving in Hawaii. His instruments were particularly prized for their tone and finish. Some of his original instruments survive in museums today.

José do Espírito Santo

Santo, as he was commonly known, was another of the original Portuguese craftsmen who helped develop the ukulele. His instruments featured distinctive design elements and contributed to establishing the ukulele's standard form.

Early Ukulele Construction

The first Hawaiian ukuleles were distinguished by several characteristics:

Materials

Early makers discovered that native Hawaiian koa wood was ideal for ukulele construction. This beautiful, resonant hardwood became the signature material for fine ukuleles, offering both aesthetic appeal and excellent tonal qualities.

Construction Techniques

The Portuguese craftsmen adapted their traditional methods to work with local materials. They developed unique bracing patterns and body shapes that would maximize the instrument's projection while maintaining its distinctive character.

Design Evolution

While preserving the basic form of the machete, the early ukulele makers gradually developed features that would become standard:

The distinctive figure-eight body shape
12-14 frets to the body
Friction tuning pegs
Various sizes (what would later be categorized as soprano, concert, etc.)

From Hawaiian Icon to Global Phenomenon

How the ukulele spread from its Hawaiian origins to become a worldwide musical sensation.

Early Expansion

The ukulele remained largely contained to Hawaii until the early 20th century. The instrument began to gain wider recognition when:

Tourism to Hawaii increased in the early 1900s
Visitors brought ukuleles back to the mainland as souvenirs
Hawaiian musicians began touring the United States

The 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition

The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco marked a turning point for the ukulele. The Hawaiian Pavilion featured performances with the ukulele prominently displayed, captivating mainland audiences with its distinctive sound and connection to exotic Hawaiian culture.

This exposure helped trigger the first major ukulele craze in the United States, leading to its adoption by the entertainment industry and mass production by mainland manufacturers like Martin and Harmony.

The 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition where the ukulele gained mainland popularity

Continue the Journey

Explore the complete timeline of the ukulele's evolution from its Hawaiian origins through the 20th century to its modern renaissance.

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The Hawaiian Origins of the Ukulele