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Data analyses of the video material gathered on Hawaii showed several distinct attributes and technical trends.
Generally, two styles of playing are prevalent, when looking at Hawaiian ukulele players: The Lyrical Lineage sees more modest technical application of various strums and picking techniques with a clear focus on melody phrasing and musicality. The musical content trumps any showmanship. Players have explained that this style of playing goes back to Herb Ohta Sr. and others of his generation and artists on the island are for the most part aware in which tradition they see themselves in.
The Virtuosic Performance Practice of Hawaii is comparatively wider known world wide. Its most famous representatives are Jake Shimabukuro and Taimane Gardner, who work both mostly outside of the inner ukulele community[1] and regularly fill big concert halls. Their playing, although also musical, focuses on technical virtuosity over complex musical content. Speed and volume are characterizing attributes in their playing and they serve as role models for many young players on the islands (Tolentino, 2024, 00:05:56).
[1] Although Jake Shimabukuro regularly meets with the ukulele group around Bryan Tolentino and sits in with Benny Chong and others.