Who “Discovered” The

Ukulele

From Our Own Correspondent

Honolulu, Nov. 3.

HERE is something that may settle an old argument.

According to the experts the ukulele isn’t Hawaiian. It was brought here by the first Portuguese settlers in 1878 —59 years ago. They came all. the way from Madeira around Cape Horn in the barque Priscilla, thumping and strumming away the weary hours on their podgy instru ments, w'hich promptly were dubbed uku leles (jumping fleas) by the musically inclined Hawaiians.

Here in Hawaii, and in recent years on the U.S. mainland, the manufacture of ukuleles and accessories has developed into an important industry. Virtually all popular songs published to-day include ukulele “changes.”

On September 29, the exact 59th birth day of the “Hawaiianisation” of the uku lele, the Portuguese colony in Honolulu strummed more than ever, and suggested to the local authorities that September 29 annually should be dubbed Ukuleie Day and suitably celebrated along the lines of famed Lei Day and Kamehameha Day, outstanding and colourful Hawaiian holidays.