The Hawaiian Islands, a melting pot of diverse cultures from China, Japan, Korea, Phillipines and Portugal. As early as 1778, immigrants traveled to Hawai'i to work in the sugar cane fields, which they brought traditions and goods from their countries.
In 1879, a small guitar-like instrument made its way to Hawai'i by way of the Portuguese. The Hawaiians adopted and modified this small guitar to what is now known as the ukulele (pronounced: OO-koo-LEH-leh).
In 1915, the soothing sounds of the ukulele was introduced during a performance at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco. This was said to be the spark to the ukulele craze. The popularity of the ukulele has ebbed and flowed throughout the years, but there’s no mistaking the distinct sound of its hollow strum of sweet melodies. The ukulele is here to stay.