Rarotonga Island. Cook Island. Polynesia. South Pacific Ocean. Typical Ukulele Tahitian Polynesian guitar shop. The Ukulele (meaning ‘jumping flea’ in Hawai’ian) is believed to have travelled from Hawaii via Tahiti in the late 1800′s. The preferred ukulele in the Cook Islands today are banjo-shaped or oblong, which came into vogue in the Cook Islands about 1995, after Te Ava Piti, a popular Tahitian band, aired them in a music video. Ukuleles are always used in tandem with guitars during performances. Traditional dance is the most prominent art form of the Cook Islands. Each island has its own unique dances that are taught to all children. Christian music is extremely popular in the Cook Islands. There is much variation of Christian music across the region, and each island has its own traditional songs. Tahitian ukes are a pretty rare instrument so its hard to find places(outside the pacific) where you can buy or listen to them. Below are a few websites where you can purchase ukes and uke music online. You can pick up strings at your local fishing shop. Anything from 10kg-30kg guage line will do the damage, depending on what kind of uke, sound and playing you're into. The best place to see live ukes in action are at traditional arts and culture festivals (see links). Local street markets around the pacific are also good places to find ukes for sale along with plenty of cheap local food, clothes, arts and crafts and free entertainment. Heres just a few - Cook Islands: Punanga Nui markets in Avarua(Rarotonga). Aotearoa(NZ): Avondale, Otara, Mangere and Porirua markets. Tahiti: Papeete market.