Kamaka Hawai‘i, Inc.

The tour of Kamala’s factory was amazing! Such a great experience to learn about the history of ukuleles, the company’s heritage, and also to see the process of how a Hawaiian uke is made. It’s a great activity for anybody, including those who aren’t ukulele players themselves. Staff are super friendly and they also have some very neat merchandise available.

This is a must for ukulele players that having or eventually buying a high-end made in Hawaii ukulele. This factory has been at this location for over a hundred years with a proud legacy and continues to be a family operation. The tour included an introduction to the history of the ukulele in Hawaii. This is not a slick tourist tour, but a real working factory of local workers in a specialty trade. Don’t expect to buy an instrument as they have a backlog of orders - but you will have a chance to play with the instrument of your choice- I choose the pineapple and the eight string tenor. Highly recommend if you’re super into ukuleles.

We were advised by multiple people to come to Kamaka’s tour, M-F at 10:30am, no need for reservations. They've been in the same location since the 50s, felt special to get a tour from the 3rd generation Kamaka himself. The high-end ukes are carefully crafted, and you learn a lot about the production and history! If you enjoy music and production, a great option in Honolulu!

Took the factory tour with Chris Kamaka, grandson of Sam Sr. who created the entire operation. You really appreciate the sense of tradition and pride when he shows you how Kamaka ukuleles are made. If you don't leave with an uke, definitely grab some of their merch. Their brand hat with the bended wood rim is super dope!

What a great tour! First, Uncle Fred (the son of the founder) gave us a history of the ukulele and Kamaka. He is an engaging speaker and passionate about his life's work. After that, his son Fred Jr. walked us through the shop from raw Koa to finished ukuleles. He describe techniques and technology and answered all of our questions. All of the staff was friendly and didn't seem to mind us coming in and taking pictures. It was fun to see where these legendary instruments come to life. Highly recommended.

On our latest visit to Honolulu we decided to visit Kamaka Hawaii, and see where these legendary instruments are made. The factory tour was great, and definitely worth the time. Fred Kamaka Jr. gave us a wonderful tour, and obviously takes pride in the family business, with an amazing 104 year history. My wife already has three ukuleles, but the next will definitely be a Kamaka. Thanks Fred!

The greatest ukulele brand in the world! The greatest ukulele players use Kamaka - Jake Shimabukuro, Mr. Ohta-San and his son, Taimane Gardner, Bryan T., etc. That in itself should tell you something. Then you add in their history and the fact that they concentrate on ONLY making ukuleles, and you'll know why Kamaka ukuleles are the most sought after ukes in the business. Buy one. You won't have any regrets!

My Kamaka Ukulele is 50+ years old, with many issues, particularly because she's been back and forth to the mainland. I brought her in to have a "check-up" and find out what she needed to be restored. I'm going to get her back in a short while. So missed. I'm thrilled to see and play her once again... The Kamaka ohana was so sweet to meet, knowledgeable and informative as to what they could see would be best for her.

Kamaka craftsman completely restored a soprano uke that has been in the family for 60 years. They did a beautiful job- it looks and plays beautifully. I can't make a higher recommendation than this amazing work and the friendly, knowledgeable staff

Great costumer service provided from the time of dropping off our ukulele's to picking them up

I took a ukulele in for refinishing. I was happy that an option was given to me to have the polished finish replaced with the natural wood finish. The turnaround time has been drastically reduced compared to a year ago when I took a ukulele in for repair. It will take approximately 4 weeks for the work to be done. I am happy that the staff are consistently friendly and professional.

Took the factory tour with Chris Kamaka, grandson of Sam Sr. who created the entire operation. You really appreciate the sense of tradition and pride when he shows you how Kamaka ukuleles are made. If you don't leave with an uke, definitely grab some of their merch. Their brand hat with the bended wood rim is super dope!

Mr. Kamaka is so sweet, he showed us his whole business and answered any questions we had. I work professional in a fine woodworking shop so I have alot of interest in the logistics in the building process and was surprised as to how transparent he is with his processes. I really enjoyed this experience and would recommend to anyone who is visiting the island.

Called them when I landed in Honolulu. And the nice woman gave me all the info I needed to come in. We drove there a few hours after I got off the phone with her. Easy explanation of the work they would do on my heirloom ukulele. 6 week completion with a shipment back to me on the mainland for $80. I don't know how to play. But now that I have gotten grandmas precious ukulele fixed I've decided to pick the hobby up.

There's nothing like a Kamakea Ukulele. If you're up for a nice high end quality Uke, reach out to Chris to get hooked up with the best. He personally took care of us and did some string repairs at their factory on South. Looking forward to when they can do tours again.

I just bought my first Kamaka ukelele and it was a great experience with Yukari on their sales desk. She was even able to ask Mr. Kamaka to sign the label for me! I'm so disappointed I did not know about the factory tours when I was in Honolulu last month. But I will definitely make it a point to visit next year when I'm back on the island. Owning one of these musical instruments has so much meaning and history. I'm so looking forward to hearing the magical tones, and experiencing the deep history and care that goes into each Kamaka ukelele.

The oldest, best, greatest, most traditional ukulele company in history. Kamaka only makes the highest quality instruments. I have several Kamakas and no other ukulele brand I've come across are even close.

Finally went on the factory tour this morning. For ukulele enthusiasts, this is the Mecca. (Surprised to see that there are only a few Yelp reviews...) Kamaka ukuleles have been a huge part of my childhood, growing up here in Hawai'i. First time playing one was in the 4th grade in elementary school. Finally got my own when my uncle gifted one of his to me at age 10. (Family heirlooms for sure...) In my adult life, I needed an uke as a classroom teacher. Picked up a Pineapple from their factory in the early 90s. (The Kamaka factory has been at its present location since the late 50s.) Really couldn't play well, so I took lessons from Jake Shimabukuro at his Ukulele Academy in Hawai'i Kai. I was incredibly impressed by the artisan craftsmanship that I witnessed on this morning's tour. Beautiful instruments. Still handcrafted by a small, local family business. If you want the very best, this is where it's at. Leaving the factory, I felt lucky to have experienced something that only a few ukulele lovers worldwide get to do.

My name is Kharma and I am a member of the Habilitat family. We are a non-profit recovery community center and have been self-supported for 52 years. Working with Tony has not only been a pleasure, but we are very grateful for the opportunity to be supported by such a fantastic company as Kamaka. Without supporters like them helping us on our journey we would never be able to have the privilege to work on ourselves and restore what was once broken so long ago. Mahalo for your contribution to our cause.

****************************Review #1100************************** YELP 365 CHALLENGE 2014-(220/365) "The Best Ukuleles In The World!" Shocking to see that Kamaka Hawaii Inc. has only FIVE reviews!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? This should be one of those "Lucky You Live Hawaii" stops...Whether you're a local, tourist, or Ukulele enthusiast, take some time out from your day and head down to South Street for a FREE Factory Tour to see and hear about how an instrument synonymous with Hawaii got its start any time Tuesday-Friday at 10:30 am by living Ukulele Legend, Fred Kamaka Sr. Tour attendees also receive a commemorative magnet that has been repurposed from the ukulele "puka". COOL! For 98 years, This family owned business has been crafting the best ukuleles , started by the late Samuel K. Kamaka. At 89 years of age, his son Fred Kamaka Sr. gives these tours with such energy and takes you back in time touching on the history of the ukulele, and the start of the Kamaka Empire by his father way back in 1916. For those of us born and raised in Hawaii, The 4th grade is when most public school kids are first exposed to playing the Uke with your basic cords(G7, C7, & F, etc.) and other simple songs(Who remembers that?). There's that distinctive sound that only comes from a Kamaka, and you'll know it once you hear it. Also during the tour,(photography is allowed) Fred will take you out back to show you the massive supply of Koa and Mahogany wood that is under lock, key, barbed wire, and surveillance, then take you to the very room where all the magic happens where you'll get to see the painstaking timely process of how a Kamaka Ukulele is assembled, which is why they are so highly prized, and only 4,000 of these are made every year. Looking at their most recent price list, a standard Kamaka starts at $895. For you lucky owners of a Kamaka, you can also take your uke in for any repairs or maintenance you may need. This is the ONLY place to do so. The Kamaka Empire and responsibilities of day-to-day operations have been passed down to their sons, and on any given tour, you never know what talented artist may stop in. There are other Ukulele companies in the state, and the folks at Kamaka not only praise it, they also encourage it to preserve a precious part of Hawaiian art & culture. After your tour, you can also purchase shirts and other things up front and even get a photo with Sam. Check out the display case up front where you can see the "Evolution" of the Ukulele throughout the decades and also the first ever "Pineapple" Ukulele crafted by Sam that was featured on Antiques Roadshow. What was the value of the Ukulele you may ask???? They COULD NOT place any value on it...it was PRICELE$$....ALOHA!!! Shaka Meter: \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ \uuu/ 10 For a locally owned business that's been going strong for 98 years, 5 stars is not enough....10 Shakas mo' bettah!!!!

Men behind front counter not too friendly. Maybe they should work in the back where they won't have to deal with customers.

Hmmm, I pondered what my 1st review should be for 2013... Kamaka Ukulele is a perfect choice because the family owned company has withstood the test of time since Sam Kamaka, Sr. first began making ukuleles in 1916. I cannot believe it took me until 2012 to take the Kamaka factory free guided tour. Then again, my ukulele playing started & ended in elementary school. I do play a mean "My dog has fleas" - hahaha. TIP: A free guided tour of the Kamaka factory is given every Tuesday - Friday at 10:30 am for family-sized groups. Large groups (more than 10) and school-supervised groups must schedule special tours in advance by calling (808) 531-3165. The tour usually lasts about 30 minutes. Upon arrival we were given a commemorative magnet made from the "hole" of the ukulele - fantastic repurposing! Fred Kamaka Sr., son of founder Sam Kamaka, Sr., was our tour guide. Fred Sr. is full of energy at 88 years young & his passion for the family business is evident. We enjoyed hearing his stories of old Hawaii, ukuleles & his family. In the store, there are photos of recognizable people with Kamaka ukuleles... Jake Shimabukuro is among them. Kamaka ukuleles were even featured in Glee. The factory tour was educational & it was fascinating to see how the ukuleles were produced - both a work of art & musical instrument. Fred Sr. let us feel the different sand papers used to prep the ukulele for the final, clear, glossy finish. The last sand paper felt like velvet, not gritty at all - didn't know there was such a thing. We even got to view 1 of the 100 custom Jake Shimabukuro models which was beautiful.

Did the tour with Fred Kamaka Jr. although busy guy he gave a great tour with a lot of fun details about the history and evolution of Kamaka. Very gracious with the tours questions. Amazing they can do so much in such a small shop. What a wonderful legacy business!

Bought their 100th anniversary delux slotted model. It is truly a work of art on top of being an exquisite musical instrument. So much history behind this brand and the Kamaka family is carrying on the legacy.

What a great tour! First, Uncle Fred (the son of the founder) gave us a history of the ukulele and Kamaka. He is an engaging speaker and passionate about his life's work. After that, his son Fred Jr. walked us through the shop from raw Koa to finished ukuleles. He describe techniques and technology and answered all of our questions. All of the staff was friendly and didn't seem to mind us coming in and taking pictures. It was fun to see where these legendary instruments come to life. Highly recommended.

I'm a college counselor- and often I get business and pre-med students who tell me they've all of sudden decided to become philosophy majors, or geography majors or, some other non-practical course of study that would make the practical parental units shriek. The reason why is simple: charismatic and passionate professors who live breathe and bleed their craft. My partner and I took their free tour (for which I write this review, because I felt guilty as spit for not buying a thousand dollar ukelele at the end of it) and for an hour and a half, Fred Kamaka Sr, a robust but slightly hard of hearing man pushing 90 gave us the history of the ukele, and a tour of the factory that serves as his family's legacy to the next generation. I don't meet too many people who love their work, but this guy Fred K, he did and does, and even at his age you can tell his dedication to his trade has not waned an iota. He knows everything there is to know about ukeles, and even if you're like me- with not even a smidgen of interest in it, you'll find yourself thinking by the time you're a flip-flop out of Fred's shop on how to get your hands on a K&K instrument.

I've been a fan of Kamaka Ukulele for quite a while now, after being introduced by my wife's white-label concert uke that she's had since grade school. I was always intrigued by it but was always afraid of using it, so bought another brand for myself and began to learn. Later we decided together to order a custom "special," tenor Kamaka, and had the pleasure of communicating what we wanted to the office, back and forth, then were on a visit to Oahu when it was time to pick it up. "Uncle," Chris Kamaka delivered it to us at the front desk and I can't say enough about it. It's an amazing instrument and is something that you just want to play because it feels and plays so well. I was given the advice to get the best uke that you can afford because the playability of great quality ukes will keep you playing that much more. It's my absolute favorite, and I don't suffer from much U.A.S. (uke acquisition syndrome), because I already have my dream uke. Aside from the ukuleles they build, the family and staff are some of the nicest people around. It was an amazing experience to be able to work with them, and they treat everyone like family. The tour with Fred is awesome if you ever have the chance to visit, and it's always cool to visit with them at shows or to catch Uncle Chris performing with Ho'okena and Hema Pa'a. Whether you are in the market for a uke or not, the factory tour is a must-see, and is really cool to learn about their 100+ year family-run company and their history in Hawaii.

I don't know much about making Koa Ukuleles , but I can recognize Craftsmanship when I see it and these Kamaka are by far some of the best. I would highly recommend anybody take the tour before tours are no longer available

Was tuning my vintage standard Kamaka and broke the A string! Wanting only the best, I ordered a Standard/Concert string set from their website store. A couple of hours later I got a call from Kamaka asking if I'd want to order a second set as the shipping would be the same. My original order was $4 for the strings and $6 something for shipping! After a few phone calls to order an additional Standard/Concert Low G string set, they fixed my orders with no hassles. Kamaka Ukulele staff and employees take care of their customers, with the same care and excellence as their ukuleles are made and sound! When my vintage ukulele ever needs reconditioning, it will go only to Kamaka Ukuleles in Honolulu! Can't wait to play and hear this Low G set!

I sent my Kamaka Tenor in for repair and received it back today. I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened up the case and saw my ukulele. They did an amazing job on it. The original white label as well as the original KK on the headstock were still there. I couldn't of have dreamed of it looking any better. I would like to thank Chris Kamaka for doing an amazing job and I want to thank Tekla for excellent and professional customer service. I wish I could thank you guys in person. They really live up to their name as being the best. Definitely 5 star quality and service......

I have to say the Kamaka factory tour is THE hidden gem of a visit to Honolulu. I mean, how many times have you been on a tour that's: 1. Free 2. Given by the 92 y.o. Factory owner 3. Given a free refrigerator magnet made from the sound hole of the best ukulele on the planet. Very fun and interesting, you realize that there are still craftsmen today that put out a great product made with pride. Do not expect to be able to purchase an instrument here however. I questioned why they wouldn't have "on site" sales but after the tour you realize there is such a demand for these instruments they are already backordered as it is. Great time and highly recommended!

One of my favorite tours and by far my favorite ukulele. Love that it's family owned and multi generational. Must stop when in Honolulu.

I just picked up my Vintage Kamaka Soprano Ukulele today, after having it repaired. The reception staff was very friendly and helpful. I asked if the person who repaired my ukulele was in and if I could speak with him or her. Turns out, it was a petite but perky gal named Holly. I just had to compliment her on the craftsmanship skills she possessed and how beautiful my ukulele now appeared! I wish I had a before picture to compare with the brand new looks it now has. If you ever have a need to have your ukulele repaired or reconditioned, this would be the only place to have it done. Kamaka stands by their quality craftsmanship and fine products. The various models of ukulele are also available for purchase from a friendly and knowledgeable staff in their showroom.

Came to this place to see the history of where our ukuleles are made. Not knowing about tour times the lady that greeted us seemed to be preoccupied with her lunch. She told us to come back tomorrow at 1030 am but we fly out to Kauai tomorrow. We just flew 5 hrs and 2500 miles to see this place and were told that. I guess she thinks we can come back anytime. Bad move on her part because that is bad for business. Going to Ko Aloha now.

Review is for the tour, not the ukuleles. The tour was very enjoyable and we learned a lot of the history and family history behind the company. As far as the tour goes, as a woodworker and ukulele player, Kanile`a's tour was better. Also, I was hoping to see a few ukes for sale to those of us who took the tour. And taking the tour was one of the reasons we came to Oahu. We really didn't want to drive to a bunch of shops other than the big one on the North Shore. In summary, you're probably going to go on this one anyhow, so here's what to expect. Expect a great amount of family and company history, but don't expect to learn a heck of a lot more, and don't expect to walk away with a factory-fresh uke.

My family had a great experience taking the factory tour during our recent trip to Honolulu. We first got a wonderful recounting of the history of the company and the evolution of the instruments from Fred Kamaka, Sr., son of the company's founder. We then toured the factory floor with Fred Kamaka, Jr., who gave fantastic detail about each step of the manufacturing process while also being incredibly accommodating to our large group with two babies. I highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to learn more about this integral part of Hawaiian business and culture.

I've loved my Kamaka since the day I bought it. There is a richness to the sound that is just unique to Kamaka; and, the attention to detail, to craftmanship can be, not just seen, but heard in their instruments. The sound of their instruments resonates as beautifully as the Hawaiian koa wood that they are made from.

So today I took my 78' kamaka koa baritone to get repaired, the back is delaminating. Walked into their small showroom and a woman quickly assessed the problem and with a straight face told me the repair would take a year(that's how many other repairs they have in the back). She then explained that the whole ukulele was coming apart but kept reminding me of the age of the instrument and implied that all old instruments do this. She then informed me the estimate repair would be $400. I did not argue, I was surprised to hear there was no warranty and the repair warranty was just for a year. Kamaka's might sound good new, and they are a part of history, but I would never recommend anyone buying this brand of uke anymore. There are so many better built ukuleles on the market now, that age well and sound better than a Kamaka. So shop somewhere else and don't pay for an empty legacy.

Awesome tour of the ukelele factory given by one of the owners, Fred Kamaka. He is over 90 years old but still so energetic and lively. He spoke of how the company was started by his father and the struggles and challenges that he encountered in starting the business. The business was later passed on to Fred and his brother, and now their sons. The process of how the ukelele was made was also shown. It was interesting to see how the machines in making the ukelele evolved over the years of the business with ideas from new generations. If you like listening to life stories, I recommend this tour. The tour was free -they give you a little magnet as a gift made of koa wood and you get to take a picture with Fred Kamaka.