Every strum of a ‘ukulele carries more than just a tune – it carries generations of vibrant culture and tradition. Today’s #GoogleDoodle honors this iconic instrument and the place it holds in Hawaiian culture as part of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Adapted from Portuguese instruments, the ‘ukulele found its true voice in Hawai‘i. Even King Kalākaua played the ‘ukulele, and it was through his embrace of hula and Hawaiian music that the ‘ukulele was able to cement its place in local music and tradition. Small, portable, and easy to learn, the ‘ukulele soon became a way to teach, share, and come together – from communities and classrooms in Hawai‘i to growing kanikapila (or jam circles) around the world. Today, it embodies Hawai‘i’s “aloha spirit.” Ready to start your own ‘ukulele journey? It’s just a Google search away.