Ukulele History 101: Who Invented the Ukulele and How Did It Become Hawaii’s National Instrument?

Nobody can say for certain who invented the ukulele, but it’s likely it was made by one of three Madeiran cabinetmakers who made their way to Honolulu for plantation jobs in 1879.

What is clear, though, is that the ukulele descended from Portuguese folk instruments, becoming a symbol of royal Hawaiian identity and, later, resistance, and eventually made its way to stages with the biggest pop stars and homes around the world. 

Here's the intriguing history of the ukulele, from Madeira to Hawaii and beyond.

What Does “Ukulele” Mean?

In Hawaiian, the word “ukulele” literally means “jumping flea.” Uku means “flea,” and lele means “to jump.” But why would someone call an instrument a jumping flea?

Sources: The Birth of the Ukulele, Ukulele Magazine · 5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the 'Ukulele, National Museum of American History · An 'Ukulele Comeback, Mālamalama, University of Hawai'i System

Where Did the Ukulele Come From?

The ukulele's story begins on Madeira, which is a small volcanic island off the coast of Portugal. Long before the instrument reached the Hawaiian Archipelago, Madeiran people were playing a small, four-string, guitar-like instrument called the machete. Its fuller name, “machete de Braga” or “braguinha,” points back to Braga, a region on mainland Portugal, and its history dates back to at least 1716.

The machete was an instrument with notated repertoire of waltzes, polkas, and technically demanding pieces written for Funchal's fashionable society, which can be found in The Collection of Pieces for Machete and Guitar by Candido Drumond de Vasconcelos. That more formal traditional repertoire didn’t carry over to the ukulele, which became known as an instrument learned mostly by ear.

The Story Of Who Invented the Ukulele

In 1879, three cabinetmakers from Madeira named Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias, and José do Espírito Santo set off on a four-month voyage on a British ship. Along with hundreds of other Madeiran families, they were recruited for labor jobs on Hawaiian sugar plantations.

When they finally landed, passengers broke into song and dance to celebrate the moment. A local newspaper memorialized the excitement of that moment, writing that the new arrivals were “fine performers on their strange instruments, which are a kind of cross between a guitar and a banjo, but which produce very sweet music.”

After completing their labor contracts, the three cabinetmakers made their way to Honolulu, where they all eventually opened woodworking shops that built both furniture and instruments. 

Manuel Nunes claims credit for inventing the ukulele during this time, though historians aren’t entirely certain which of the three men deserves credit, or if it was made from a combined effort of all three men. But within a decade of their ship landing in Hawaii, the ukulele made its first appearance in print.

The Ukulele: Important to the Royals and Resistance Alike

Hawaii’s royal family supported the ukulele, helping it become the quintessentially Hawaiian instrument it’s known as today.

King David Kalākaua, nicknamed “The Merrie Monarch,” was a huge fan of the instrument. He learned to play the ukulele himself and featured it at his parties. He's even said to have had ukuleles built in a workshop on the grounds of ʻIolani Palace. 

Kalākaua's sister, Queen Lili'uokalani, was also a big proponent of the uke. She's credited with declaring the ukulele the national instrument of the Kingdom of Hawaii in the late 1800s, and she wrote "Aloha 'Oe," one of the most widely known Hawaiian songs.

Some say, without Hawaiian people like King Kalākaua and Queen Lili'uokalani popularizing the instrument, it could have easily faded into obscurity. 

When the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1893, the ukulele changed, too. It was an instrument of resistance and protest, with songs like “Kaulana Nā Pua,” helping promote the instrument’s importance as one of independence and Hawaiian identity. 

More than a century later, in 2015, Hawaiian state lawmakers named the ukulele Hawaii's official modern musical instrument.

How the Ukulele Became Famous on the Mainland

According to a paper written by University of Surrey researcher Samantha Muir, many Americans were first introduced to the ukulele at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, a world's fair in San Francisco. Its Hawaiian Pavilion featured live musicians on guitar and ukulele, and fairgoers could buy a uke of their own at a stand nearby. Over the months the fair ran, roughly 18.8 million people passed through the pavilion, kicking off America's first ukulele craze.

Songwriters rushed out Hawaiian-themed tunes, though many made fun of the Hawaiian language and culture rather than celebrating it. In the 1920s, stars like Cliff Edwards (“Ukulele Ike”) and radio host May Singhi Breen helped put a uke in homes across the country. The craze reached Britain too, where comedian George Formby became known for his fast, fancy strumming.

Why Did People Think the Ukulele Was a Toy?

Muir explains that, in the 1940s, toy maker Mattel (famous for making Barbie) released a plastic ukulele, and inventor Mario Maccaferri went on to sell around nine million plastic ukes between 1949 and 1969. Cheap plastic models made the instrument easy to own but hard to take or play seriously.

Then, in 1968, singer Tiny Tim scored a hit with “Tiptoe Through the Tulips,” warbling in a high falsetto over his ukulele. The song was catchy, but it solidified the ukulele's reputation as an unserious novelty for years to come.

Tiny Tim playing “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” 

Ukulele in the 21st Century

In 1993, Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, better known as “Iz,” recorded a soft ukulele medley of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “What a Wonderful World.” 

Over the following years, his recordings turned up in movie soundtracks, TV shows, and ads. Iz also campaigned for Hawaiian sovereignty, carrying on the uke's long link to Hawaiian identity.

John King released The Classical Ukulele (2004), which prompted many players to experiment with classical music, such as Bach, on the ukulele. And in 2006, Jake Shimabukuro's ukulele version of the Beatles song “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” became a YouTube sensation, proving the little instrument could hold its own against a guitar.

Jake Shimabukuro has helped the ukulele gain recognition as a serious instrument.

In modern pop music, the uke is featured heavily in hits like Jason Mraz's “I'm Yours” as well as Train's “Hey, Soul Sister” and Vance Joy's “Riptide.” Taylor Swift plays one, as does Billie Eilish. And as of 2018, a survey in the UK found that more children said they wanted to learn the ukulele than the violin, flute, or cello.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the ukulele?

Three Madeiran cabinetmakers, Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias, and José do Espírito Santo, arrived in Hawaii in 1879 and later began selling the first ukuleles. Nunes later claimed credit for inventing the ukulele, but historians still aren't certain whether one of these men or a combination of all three deserves that title.

What does the word “ukulele” mean?

It's commonly translated as “jumping flea,” though nobody agrees on exactly why. Theories range from the speed of players' fingers to a passenger's excited dance upon arriving in Hawaii. Queen Lili'uokalani offered her own, more poetic interpretation as “a gift that came from afar.”

What's the difference between a ukulele and a machete?

The machete is the Portuguese instrument Madeiran immigrants brought to Hawaii, tuned differently and slightly different in construction. Craftsmen then modified it, borrowing tuning ideas from other instruments, to create the ukulele.

Why do ukuleles come in different sizes?

Different sizes suit different playing styles and tone preferences. Soprano offers the classic, bright ukulele tone in a compact size. Concert and tenor sizes provide more room on the neck and a fuller sound. Baritone is tuned differently altogether, closer to the top strings of a guitar. 

Enjoyed This Article? Try These Next: 

• Ukulele for Beginners: Starter Chords & Guide for Kids
• Fiddle vs. Violin: Exploring History, Differences & Styles 
• Homeschool Music Education: What the Research Says Works