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Sometimes I think people make such broad statements, just for the sake of making a point.  From this page on the ukelele, he states: 

"The ukulele received royal acclaim with nobles such as King Kalakaua, Queen Emma and Queen Lili'uokalani playing this instrument. This in turn may have made it more accepted by the people of Hawaii"

Really?  Where is it written that any of them played the ukelele?  Kalakaua and Liliuokalani were known for composing many songs and may have played the ukelele, I don't if it's true or not, but did Queen Emma play as well?  In her autobiography it doesn't mention that.  And why would the alii playing it make it more accepted?  It's like the Hawaiian people couldn't decide to do anything themselves unless the alli were doing it, or told them to do it.  Wouldn't the Hawaiians working and living with the portuguese, see them playing it and want to learn that way?  What did they do when a portuguese handed them an instrument and said "Here you try..." , " oh, no, no, I cannot, I need to know if my chief approves."  ????  haha.