See more ideas about pineapple ukulele, hawaiian ukulele and ukulele. Samuel kaialiilii kamaka, the companys founder, wasnt present for the birth of the ukulele, but he was around while it was still in diapers. Take a look at the range today and experience some of the worlds best ukuleles available to buy right here at southern ukulele store. A history, had a minute of fame on the cbs sunday morning show that aired october 14 across the u. Over 40 years later, weve grown into one of the worlds most respected sellers of. Taimane gardner is a virtuoso ukulele player and composer. May singhi breen, affectionately known as the ukulele lady, has long been recognized as one of the outstanding exponents of the ukulele. For over a century, kamaka ukulele has been a family owned and operated business. This has always been the case, as one third generation kamaka explains, conducting our tour. Ukulele underground kamaka ukulele 100th anniversary facebook.
Meet the hawaii family that makes the worlds most famous ukulele. Mar 30, 20 even after 100 years, they are still refining and improving their instruments. What i loved most about it were the moments you could see the love and joy fred has for the instruments, and the history of this fine company. It is often credited with producing some of the worlds finest koa ukuleles, and created the very first pineapple ukulele. In fact they are the oldest family run business in hawaii. It is often credited with producing some of the worlds finest ukuleles, and created the first pineapple ukulele. Heart strings is the story of kamaka hawaii, an instrument manufacturing business run by four generations of one hawaiian family. They were the only hawaiian uke makers that survived the war years and are increasingly popular today thanks. Historians say that only a few of these vintage kamaka cigar box ukuleles were created by samuel kamaka jr.
The hf2 is clearly in another league to any other concert weve tried to date. First, how many companies do you know that are family owned, on their third generation of family leadership and have survived and thrived for over 100. The newest logo design from kamaka hawaii features the favorite kk logo on the front and back in black, white and gold. Members of the kamaka ukulele hawaii family are also represented here whether at the grinding machine, or polishing, or repairing. She convinced music publishers of the commercial value of ukulele arrangements and pioneered the inclusion of arrangements on almost all printed copies of popular music. There are several varieties to choose from, so check out the information below for tips on how to choose the best one for your needs. Vintage kamaka ukulele gold label this auction is for. And most importantly, the tone is as lush and rich as it has ever been throughout kamaka history. This heritage has been preserved by a second and third generation of hawaiis finest luthiers. I used to really wish for such a tab book, but at this point in time, i actually derive more fun trying to figure out jakes arrangements myself by watching videos and listening to his albums. Playing on the streets of waikiki with the beach boys, taimane was discovered by legendary crooner, don ho and became a featured performer in his show. From the pdf looks like it is a really nice hardcover book. Many of the worlds top ukulele performers choose kamaka because of their legendary tone and feel.
Since then, kamaka ukulele has established reputation as producing highest quality ukulele. Carrying on the kamaka legacy the honolulu advertiser. Great savings free delivery collection on many items. Jan 22, 2014 kamaka ukulele or just kamaka is a familyowned hawaiibased maker of hawaiian ukuleles. True, the actual history of the ukulele begins on an island, but not one in the hawaiian chain, nor one in the pacific ocean, for that matter. Here are the different interior labels, and their dates. Kamaka have decided to keep the modern 1980s headstock as standard on this model, perhaps in homage to george harrison, who was a proud owner of a kamaka concert ukulele himself. At the age of five, taimane picked up her first ukulele and began her future in performing. Well, that isnt to say that this is a brand that is old fashioned or resting on laurels of past glories.
It would be nice to just point people to such a tab book when i get requests for blue roses falling tabs though. But nothing else comes close to the detailed information presented in jim tranquada and john kings book, the ukulele. Kamaka ukulele or just kamaka is a familyowned hawaiibased maker of the. The kamaka ukulele is recognized around the world for its quality and beauty. Four generations of luthiers preserve the hawaiian heritage craft of making extraordinary ukuleles at kamaka hawaii, inc. I took the opportunity to photograph them along with others borrowed from friends.
Get the largest selection of hawaiimade ukulele from kamaka, kanilea, and koaloha. This beautiful piece is the very same instrument featured in the ukulele book, the ukulele. Founded in 1972, elderly instruments started as a small store with a handful of instruments. It began with a 30 minute history, narrated by the original founders son, fred kamaka sr. The ukulele is in excellent shape and has very little signs of wear. It was called kamaka ukulele and guitar works and was operated from kamakas basement. A king kamehameha historical marker guards the front entrance of the shop. New kamaka hf3 lds long neck gryphon stringed instruments. A large selection of new or used kamaka ukuleles is available for you on ebay. Also, check out the kamaka hawaii website to learn more about their history and their ukuleles. The history of the hawaiian ukulele with master luthier joe souza of kanilea. In 1921 kamaka opened a store in kaimuki, near honolulu. Kamaka hawaii, incorporated, also known as kamaka ukulele or just kamaka is a familyowned hawaiibased maker of ukuleles. Kamaka ukuleles, kamaka ukes hawaiian southern ukulele store.
The history and progress of the company is marked by a neverending process of design, redesign and experimentation in order to produce instruments with the many and varying tonal and playing characteristics required by professional and amateur musicians alike. The ukulele is featured on page 83 and is the top instrument there are two pictures of a kamaka cigar box ukulele on the page. Dating your kamaka ukulele unofficial kamaka ukulele blog. Posted in dating your kamaka ukulele, history on june 10, 2011 by unofficialkamakaukulele one of the best ways to date your kamaka if the date stamp is gone is by the label and headstock logo. A few years later in 1928, sam kamaka patented the design. Kamaka, uke maker, in business for 35 years much has been written about the introduction of the ukulele into american culture via hawaii. The story of the kamaka ukulele special 26m 7s for nearly 100 years, kamaka and sons ukuleles, produced from their tiny shop in honolulu, have been the gold standard for. The entire sixminute segment by reporter seth doane and producer kay lim featured international uke star jake shimabukuro, the kamaka ukulele factory, and teacher roy sakuma impresario of the.
The kamaka story shortly after the turn of the century, samuel kaialiilii kamaka began crafting koa ukuleles from the basement of his kaimuki, hawaii home. Late 1800s manuel nunez is one of the first ukulele makers in hawaii. King kalakaua kalakoah, was a patron of the arts and had a special affinity for the ukulele. May 27, 2015 now, nearly 100 years later, the kamaka ukulele and guitar works on south street in honolulu carries on the legacy of three portuguese emigrants who forever changed hawaiian music and gave the world the gift of the jumping flea. And turning back to all that history i mentioned at the beginning. Kamaka was very articulate, engaging, and provided a most enjoyable history of their business. Portrait of samuel kaialiilii kamaka in 1916, he formed his oneman shop, kamaka ukulele and guitar works, and soon established a solid reputation for making only the highest quality ukuleles.
Kamaka ukuleles are not only beautifully crafted, great sounding musical instruments, they are an integral part of the ukuleles history. In 1910, samuel kaialiilii kamaka apprenticed manuel nunes to make ukuleles. My friend offered to sell me his vintage gold label kamaka soprano ukulele which has a 1 12 crack on the top rear of. His friends remarked that it looked like a pineapple, so one of sams artist friends painted the front to duplicate the tropical fruit. A large selection of new or used kamaka ukuleles is. History of kamaka ukulele hawaiian ukulele, cool ukulele, vintage hawaii. Most of the ukuleles featured in the book are from the worldclass collection of chuck fayne, assembled over the years from hawaii and the mainland. Most of the ukuleles featured in the book are from the worldclass collection of chuck. Kamaka was very articulate, engaging, and provided a most enjoyable history. Online shopping from a great selection at musical instruments store. Because of the demand for ukuleles samuel enlisted his sons samuel jr. Got a ukulele features kamaka on the site for the first time with their hf1 standard soprano. Vintage kamaka ukulele gold label up for bid is a gently used handmade kamaka ukulele. Kamaka ukuleles japanese market was the only thing keeping the company going.
Its not going to ship til sometime this month no date on the release though. Mika is extremely grateful to be recognized alongside many top ukulele players in the world that choose to play with kamaka. In 1921, kamaka ukulele established a shop at 1814 south king street. Kamaka, who had previously been an apprentice for manuel nunes one of the original ukulele makers. This ones a gold label soprano and probably dates to the mid or late 50s judging by the nonfretboard frets in neck build. He formed his oneman shop, kamaka ukulele and guitar works, and soon established a solid reputation for making only the highest quality ukuleles. In 1910 sam kamaka apprenticed with manuel nunes, one of the three portuguese luthiers who brought the the ukulele s ancestors, the. Kamaka ukulele maker of hawaiis finest ukuleles since 1916. The museum is a nonprofit organization with federal 501 c nonprofit status.
Kamaka ukulele hawaii ukulele guide koa ukes, ukuleles. Kamaka ukuleles are one of the most venerable ukulele companies around. Jan 31, 2015 talking about my vintage concert kamaka ukulele from the late 1950s. Kamaka ukulele is the maker of hawaiis finest ukuleles, and is the home of the original kamaka pineapple ukulele. A musical history of ukulele in hawaii, an excellent companion to some of the contemporary players performing today. The ukulele a visual history captures the fun and universal appeal of the ukulele and puts it into pictures. In the mid20s, sam kamaka laid out a pattern for a new ovalshaped ukulele body.
Soprano ukulele beginner kit brown mahogany hawaiian small guitar set with ukulele hard case digital tuner strap for kids students and beginners with blue case 4. Samuel kamaka, the companys founder, wasnt present for the birth of the ukulele, but he was around while it was still in diapers. Some time ago, i had quite a number of hawaiian ukuleles from the teens, 20s and 30s. They are also very well know for their special ohta san model. These are the ukuleles that were used to make the database for identifying those instruments of mine and others where the label on the inside. Ukulele magazine published a great article on the birth of the. A history of the ukulele would not be complete without mentioning king david kalakaua, and his role in bringing prominence to the instrument. Kamaka ukulele for sale kamaka dealer made in hawaii uke. This beautiful kamaka ukulele boasts a gorgeous set of hawaiian koa wood on. Sandor nagyszalanczy is an avid ukulele collector and woodworking expert residing in santa cruz, california. Kamaka ukulele is one of the wellknown ukulele companies in the world, producing topoftheline, quality instruments that seem to get better with age. Kamaka cigar box ukulele unofficial kamaka ukulele blog. Martin, the martin guitar company of nazareth, pennsylvania, soon became world renowned for making some of the worlds finest guitars. The kamaka family has been dedicated to building skillfullyhandcrafted ukuleles for nearly a century.
Madeira, a small mountainous speck of land in the atlantic southwest of portugal, about a 350mile swim from the coast of north africa, is the actual birthplace of the beloved uke. Kamaka ukulele honolulu 2020 all you need to know before. Part history, part hawaiian culture, part music but all things ukulele, this tour is well worth anyones time on the island. Congratulations to kamaka ukulele for 100 years of amazing ukuleles. Kamaka hawaii was established in 1916 in the territory of hawaii, and is a familyowned and operated business. Kamaka ukulele s japanese market was the only thing keeping the company going. The ukulele has become such an essential part of hawaiian culture that mere mention of the word conjures up images of the islands. Kamaka ukulele is a family business and the ukulele is a family product. Samuel kaialiilii kamaka, apprentice for manuel nunes one of the original ukulele makers started making koa ukuleles from his kaimuki, hawaii home and formed his oneman shop in 1916. Kamaka already had a reputation for making highquality instruments, and the shop thrived through the 1920s and 1930s. This wonderful piece remains in original condition with normal strum and play wear. The ukulele hall of fame museum was founded in 1996. But, what i did not expect was that when i ordered it i got an email with a pdf of the book.
Various artists kamaka ukulele presents keep strumming var. The koa wood is more beautiful than ever, as well as their fit and finish. Kamaka ukuleles are not only beautifully crafted, great sounding musical instruments, they are an integral part of the ukulele history. The heritage of ukulele making at kamaka hawaii is preserved by second and third generation hawaiian luthiers, as well as the many talented craftsmen at the kakaako factory in. The celebration continues sunday with a concert, the kamaka ukulele. Unofficial kamaka ukulele blog unofficial kamaka history. It was during the start of the ukulele craze in the early part of this century that martin started making ukuleles. Check out mikas bio on the kamaka team website below, as well as the many other musicians that play kamaka ukuleles.
A book documenting the companys first 100 years is in production. Kamaka ukuleles are world renown, crafted from hawaiian koa lumber which makes their ukes very light to handle, offering a full sound, great volume and sustain. The heritage of ukulele making at kamaka hawaii is preserved by second and third generation hawaiian luthiers, as well as the many talented craftsmen at the kakaako factory in honolulu. Kamaka with one of his original painted pineapple ukuleles. Kamaka hawaii celebrates 100 years of producing internationally. Buy kamaka and get the best deals at the lowest prices on ebay. Our mission is to document, preserve and promote the history of the ukulele, its players, and makers, as well as to inspire and engage people everywhere in the perpetuation of the ukulele and ukulele music through. Various artists kamaka ukulele presents keep strumming. Samuel kaialiilii kamaka began crafting koa ukuleles from the basement of his kaimuki, hawaii home. Samuel kamaka was building ukuleles from just after turn of the 20th century. Kamaka is the most famous and longest standing ukulele company. Kamaka, the oldest hawaiian ukulele manufacturer, established in 1916 when samuel kamaka pictured right began making ukuleles and guitars from his basement workshop at his honolulu home.
Kamaka has been giving the world great ukes for almost 100 years now. Unofficial kamaka ukulele blog unofficial kamaka history blog. Trinimon, over at ukulele underground, posted this video he made of fred kamaka sr. Enjoy the lowest prices and best selection of kamaka ukuleles at guitar center. Yet another kamaka decal ukulele design, decal, hawaii, book, music, vintage. Basically, though the logo and the fret stock changed, this style of kamaka uke is pretty darn close to the companys 1930s models in build, sound, and feel. Meet the hawaii family that makes the worlds most famous.
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