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Kamaka Ukelele Factory

For 87 years people in Hawaii and around the world have used them to make sweet music. In today's Lucky You Live Hawaii, we take a tour of the Kamaka Ukulele Factory.

It's something a lot of Hawaii families have had in their homes for years, even generations. And in most of those homes the name on their ukulele is Kamaka.

The Kamaka Ukulele Factory is a precision assembly line. Each person has a specific job. It all began back in 1916 when Sam Kamaka began making ukulele's from his home in Kaimuki, selling them for five dollars a piece. He eventually opened a store on South King Street.

"The instruments in those days were made from whatever wood he could get that was available. Sometimes it was made out of mahogany, but traditionally, most of the instruments were made from koa," says Sam Kamaka Jr.

Sam Kamaka also came up with a uniquely Hawaiian design, still popular today.

"My grandfather originated this shape simply, I guess, to experiment with the sound," says Chris Kamaka.

Kamaka even patented his pineapple ukulele in 1928. When statehood came, the factory moved to its present location on South Street where Sam Kamaka Jr. still works fixing up Kamakas in desperate need of repair.

They've made ukulele's for Laurel and Hardy and Tiny Tim. And with today's rise in the instrument's popularity you'll have to wait weeks, even months to buy a new Kamaka.

"It's a challenge, but we don't want to mass produce it because we don't want to make junk. So, we're very patient, take our time," says Sam Jr.

Each Kamaka gets a date and serial number. Orders come in from all over the world.

The craftsmanship and the air dried koa is what makes the difference.

"The wood itself, the wood that goes into it really makes it kind of a beautiful musical instrument to have," says Chris.

Kamaka ukuleles, just one more reason you are so Lucky You Live Hawaii.

The Kamaka Ukulele Factory and showroom is located at 550 South Street. You can visit them to order a Kamaka or find their ukulele's in many music stores across the state.

If you know of a person, place, or thing that makes us lucky we live Hawaii, we'd like to share them with our viewers. E-mail your suggestions to Lyle.