KANILEʻA ʻUKULELE REPRESENTS HAWAIʻI IN PORTUGAL FESTIVAL HONORING THE ʻUKULELE

KĀNEʻOHE, HAWAIʻI – Kanileʻa ʻUkulele is honored to represent Hawaiʻi in Madeira, Portugal at the Xarabanda Musical and Cultural Association’s Festival. This week-long celebration marks 140 years since the introduction of the Madeiran instrument known as the braguinha (or machete) to Hawaiʻi which led to the creation of the ʻukulele. As an expert ʻukulele builder of Hawaiian-Portuguese decent, Kanileʻa co-owner and master luthier Joe Souza will share his ʻukulele building techniques in workshops. He will also be joined by his family, wife Kristen and three sons, in the Braguinha Brotherhood concert, roundtable discussions and other planned events scheduled from May 1-8, 2019. For more information, visit www.xarabanda.pt

Interested in finding your Portuguese roots? Visit the Portuguese Genealogical & Historical Society of Hawaiʻi, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and genealogy of the Portuguese, Puerto Rican and Spanish immigrants to Hawaiʻi. For more info, call (808) 841-5044 or email PGSHOahu@hotmail.com.

About Kanileʻa ʻUkulele:

Husband-wife team Joe and Kristen Souza founded Kanileʻa ʻUkulele in July of 1998. Joe apprenticed under master luthier, the late Peter Bermodez, learning “uncle Pete’s” traditional Hawaiian building techniques while working to integrate today’s 21st century technologies. This mash up of old and new has proven effective in creating a full-bodied, rich sound that is distinctive of these playable masterpieces. All Kanileʻa instruments are handcrafted in the Souzas’ hometown of Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi. While Joe concentrates on design and training, Kristen oversees administrative operations, retail sales and dealer support. Together, the Souzas employ a team of expert artisans, retail salespeople and admin staff members.

Kanileʻa ʻukulele are available worldwide through authorized dealers and directly from the factory. For more details or to meet the team on a free Kanileʻa tour, call (808) 234-2868 or visit kanileaukulele.com.

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