At some point in our lives, many of us owned a ukulele (The correct Hawaiian pronunciation is actually: oo-koo-lay-lay). I know I did and I always looked at it as one of my toys. It wasn’t until I moved to Hawaii as a young adult that I began to appreciate the Ukulele as a musical instrument.
The ukulele originated in the 19th century as an Hawaiian interpretation of the cavaquinho or braguinha and the rajao, small guitar-like instruments taken to Hawaii by Portuguese immigrants.
At almost any social gathering in Hawaii, someone will bring their ukulele and before too long everyone will be singing and someone will be dancing the hula.
I think the general public’s appreciation of the ukulele was brought about by Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. His rendition of the medley: Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World grabbed worldwide recognition. You can listen to it on YouTube here.
More recently, ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro has brought the ukulele to a whole new level. You can listen to him here.
Maralee
Through My Lens 
Very nice lighting.
Where is the video of you playing it?
I’ll post that in my next life.
…. thanks for the music videos – specially Jake’s. Nice photo’s again .. didn’t expect anything else from you. Second one my favorite. Remember George Fornby very well from my youth.
Interesting. Love the song by Israel! 🙂
What a wonderful post – my oldest son, now a jazz and baroque musician in NYC started out in life with a ukulele at age 4. Still have it – it’s dear to my heart.
Great photos and history.
Lovely. I grew up in Hawaii, and yes, we all learned at least the basics as school kids. You’re making me want to pick it up again. Lovely photos, as always!
The song “Over the rainbow” by Israel is indeed a classic – I used to listen to this song on Youtube a few years ago again and again but for a while it was taken down by the website due to copyright issues – glad that your link brought back memories to me, and it is such a magical song, soothing and bubbly.