Story of the Ukulele

The story of the ukulele began when Portugese and Spanish immigrants first came to the islands in the 1880s. It evolved from the machete, into the typical four stringed instrument that is now commonly played. Three men are acknowledged as the original creators of the ukulele: Manuel Nunes, Augusto Dias and Jose de Espirito. It was a popular addition to street concerts and revelry in the island, so much so, that it was featured in the Hawaiian gazette after only two weeks of official use. The instrument was not just a favorite among the locals but also the then monarch, King David Kalakaua, who ensured it was an integral part of royal functions. Since then, the ukulele has found a niche market globally and is sold by several manufacturers.

While the ukulele is Hawaiian in origin, the instrument is no longer primarily manufactured there. In the height of its development in the early 20th century, many craftsmen of the islands began making ukuleles; however the tradition did not thrive from generation to generation. The only Hawaiian based manufacturer that continues to produce the recognized instrument is Kamaka and Son's. It is against this backdrop that the family owned business continues to flourish. Being the only Hawaiian brand means the standard of the ukuleles produced must be exceptional. Having remained in business for almost 100 years is a testament to their devotion to delivering a product that is not just playable, but entirely worth it.

The Kamaka ukulele is considered the best that can be bought, simply because it is the best that can be bought. The family has kept its tradition of maintaining the artistry that is apparent in each well-crafted design. Since its inception in 1916, the original "Kamaka Ukulele and Guitar Works", was famous for the quality of the instruments being sold. With his reputation on the rise, Samuel Kaialiilii Kamaka expanded his business in the 1920s opening a larger shop to meet client demands. It was around this time that he created an oval shaped pattern that would become his new ukulele design. This design would garner attention outside of the islands because of its appearance and the melodious sound it produced.

To this day, the pineapple shaped ukulele has made the Kamaka name legendary. It is well loved by musicians around the world, and also by avid listeners. Even after Samuel senior's death, the business continued to flourish under the guidance of Samuel Jr who has dedicated his life to upholding the reputation of Kamaka.

Many family members have since been formally inducted into the daily running of the company. The time honored traditions have been meticulously passed down from generation to generation. Strict adherence to the standard expected of each design has been successfully carried out, honoring not just a Hawaiian tradition but a father's perpetuated dream. Samuel senior had but one demand of his sons and those that would follow, "If you make instruments and use the family name, don't make junk".A Kamaka instrument doesn't just represent the music that it may play, but the sustenance of family and the glory derived from the continuation of tradition.

In recent years, the Kamaka ukulele has been the subject of praise and recognition. FOX ran a feature on Kamaka in 1996 on its 80th anniversary. A live feed via satellite was established allowing direct communication with the network and the representatives at Kamaka, marking yet another milestone in Kamaka history. As early as 1989 Kamaka made an appearance on "Good Morning, America". A tour was conducted through the factory by Joel Siegel who completed his piece by doing a rendition of "Ukulele lady" with Chris Kamaka. It was on this tour that millions would learn just how much is involved in the making of a ukulele. At least twenty individual craftsmen will leave his mark on each Kamaka ukulele. The soft soulful melody of an original Kamaka ukulele was strummed by George Harrison during the creation of the "Beatles Anthology" while he, along with members, Paul McCartney and Ringo spoke candidly about their experiences as internationally celebrated pop icons.

The history of the ukulele and indeed its most admired producer is a credit to the islands. Few people would be reluctant to immerse themselves in the blissful environment and the harmonious music that meshes perfectly with the inviting serenity that can be found there. It is not just an instrument you will possess when you are privileged to own an authentic ukulele from the country of its birth, but also a fragment of an exotic culture that has much to offer.

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Story of the Ukulele

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