In 1879 Hawaiian ukulele design and production was changed forever with the emigration of Manuel Nunes from Madeira to Hawaii, for he became known as the “Inventor of the Original Ukulele,” as listed in the 1916 city directory. Upon arrival, although the Portugese Consul General in Hawaii recorded Nunes as a laborer due to a few years of plantation work, in 1889, Nunes became listed as a guitar maker, beginning his mission to popularize the instrument known as the ukulele. In 1910, Manuel Nunes established M. Nunes and Sons with Leonardo and Julius Nunes, who eventually used the skills they inherited in their apprenticeship to start their own ukulele manufacturing businesses. Nunes constructed a ukulele empire that stayed in business for more than 40 years, manufacturing handmade instruments with the label “M. Nunes, Inventor of the Ukulele and Taro Patch Fiddles in Honolulu in 1879.” While Julius returned to work at the company with his father, Leonardo moved to Los Angeles, introducing the Hawaiian ukulele to new mainland customers. In 1922, Manuel Nunes died at the age of 79, leaving behind an enduring mark on Hawaiian culture with the soulful, resonant music strummed on the Hawaiian ukulele.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening