It started as an abandoned ukulele on a wall. Afar’s Aislyn Greene hadn’t touched it in two years — but that idle instrument sent her down a rabbit hole into one of the most joyful origin stories in music. The ukulele arrived in Hawai'i on a Portuguese immigrant ship in 1878, got a royal endorsement from a king and queen, fell into obscurity, and then took over the world. Along the way, a family of master craftsmen has been hand-finishing every instrument for over a century, and one of the greatest string players alive still can’t believe people underestimate it.

Meet today's guests

Roy Sakuma is a musician, educator, and founder of Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios, Hawaii’s most famous ukulele school with four locations. In 1971, he launched the Ukulele Festival Hawai'i, now the state’s top summer event, and has spent 50 years making the case that the ukulele is no toy.

Chris Kamaka is the third-generation owner of Kamaka Ukulele, the oldest continuous ukulele manufacturer in the world, founded in Honolulu in 1916. Each of the 1,000–1,500 ukuleles they produce annually is hand-played by Chris before it leaves the shop.

Jake Shimabukuro is a virtuoso musician widely regarded as the greatest ukulele player alive. He has sold out concert halls worldwide and recently collaborated with Mick Fleetwood on a Blues album.

In this episode

How Portuguese immigrants and Hawaiian royalty together created — and named — the ukulele
Why Kamaka Hawai'i still air-dries koa wood for up to six years before touching it
How Roy Sakuma’s free Ukulele Festival in 1971 sparked a global revival from his backyard
Jake Shimabukuro on recording a tribute to Christine McVie with Mick Fleetwood — and why low expectations are a gift
What it’s actually like to take a ukulele lesson from Roy Sakuma (Aislyn finds out live on mic)

Resources

Listen to Afar's ukulele playlist
Sign up for lessons at Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studios
Explore the instruments at Kamaka Ukulele
Listen to the music of Jake Shimabukuro
Visit the Ukulele Festival Hawai'i

Chapters

00:00:00 The Ukulele's Origins 00:02:00 Hawaii's Royal Endorsement 00:03:30 Inside the Kamaka Workshop 00:06:00 Roy Sakuma and the Festival 00:09:30 Jake Shimabukuro's Journey 00:13:00 A Lesson With Roy

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The Joyful Instrument That Became the Sound of Hawai'i