Preserving the Sounds of the Uke

We all know that museums are meant to preserve history. Whether through personal narratives or photos, they help to piece together a puzzle we might not have known existed. 

But how about preserving something the history of music? A local non-profit hopes to establish a museum to share the sound and symbol of an instrument that's become synonymous with Hawai‘i – the ukulele. 

In addition to a museum, The Ukulele Foundation of Hawai‘i hopes to create a performance center with indoor and outdoor stages, exhibit space and education programs at the Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park. They've be strumming up support by way of a fundraising concert that'll hopefully become an annual event.

The inaugural "Hawaii Ukulele Museum Benefit Concert" will feature ukulele entertainers from Japan and Hawai‘i, as well as the local musicians. If you've ever watched someone play the 'uke, then you'd understand how it got its name, which means "jumping flea" in Hawaiian. The musicians' fingers dance across the board at an impressive speed, creating a bouncy sound that has spread feelings of happiness across the world for centuries.

Although this four-string folk guitar has traveled overseas, the uke's home will always be in Hawai‘i. That's why having a museum in the islands makes sense. It would be a tremendous benefit to not only music lovers but also visitors, historians and anyone else interested in our culture. Mostly, a museum would help preserve the instrument's uniqueness by continuing to share those feelings of happiness for generations to come.

Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Entertainment,Oahu

January 20th, 2013