A Gift from Afar: Madeiran Emigration and the Emergence of the ’Ukulele in Hawai’i

Abstract

The history of Hawai’i would have followed a markedly different course without the presence of Madeiran emigrants, whose contributions extended across economic, social, and cultural spheres. This article reexamines the specific impact of Madeiran music and string instruments within the Hawaiian cultural context, with particular attention to the emergence of the ’ukulele. The study results from a collaborative effort that brings together expertise in the history of Madeiran emigration and the musical legacy of this diaspora, alongside a specialized focus on the development of the ’ukulele and its significance in Hawaiian culture. Through this combined approach, we aim to provide a rigorous and nuanced understanding of the instrument’s genesis and evolution, while also highlighting the broader cultural ties that unite Madeira and Hawai’i.

Keywords: Madeiran Emigration; Hawai’i; ’Ukulele; Traditional Music; Musical Instruments; Cultural Exchange; Music History.