PHOTO: HAWAI‘I TOURISM AUTHORITY (HTA) / DAEJA FARIS
Do you love the sound of the ‘ukulele? Have you ever tried strumming along to songs such as Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson or Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole?
Check out local MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SHOPS throughout the Garden Isle to try strumming this four- stringed instrument yourself. You can even buy your own ‘uke to take home with you.
As for the history of the ‘UKULELE (pronounced “oo-koo-leh-leh,” not “you-ka-lay-lee”), it arrived in Hawai‘i with Portuguese immigrants in the late 1800s, along with malasadas and sweet bread. Since then, the ‘ukulele has been a key part of kanikapila (backyard jam sessions) and popular Hawaiian tunes.