Baritone and concert ukeleles

This baritone ukulele made by the Airline Company, and concert ukulele made by Martin & Co., represent the Portuguese influence on Hawaiian music. Workers from Madeira, who migrated under contract to work on Hawaiian sugar plantations in the late 19th century, brought with them their instruments called braguinhas. The braguinha was later modified by immigrant musicians into what is now the ukulele, and became a popular component of Hawaiian dance, music and culture, under the patronage of King Kalakaua and his family. On display at the Portuguese Historical Museum at the Imperio, History Park.