Century-Old Kamaka Hawaii Celebrates Four Generations of Ukulele Making
Honolulu-based instrument maker Kamaka Hawaii is wrapping up a year of celebrations commemorating its 100th anniversary of making Kamaka 'Ukulele.
Founded in 1916 by Samuel Kaialiilii Kamaka, Sr. as Kamaka 'Ukulele and Guitar Works in what was then the Territory of Hawaii, Kamaka Hawaii is a family-owned business known for creating koa 'ukulele, as well as for inventing the distinctive oval-shaped "pineapple 'ukulele" in the 1920s, according to the company.
"The heritage of 'ukulele making at Kamaka Hawaii is preserved by second, third, and now fourth generation Hawaiian luthiers, as well as the many talented craftsmen at the Kakaako factory in Honolulu," a Kamaka Hawaii spokesperson told NBC News.
"Four generations of Kamaka luthiers have developed 'ukulele-making techniques that create durable, exquisite koa instruments that improve with age," they added.
The year of celebration launched in January 2016 at the National Association of Music Merchants Show in Anaheim, California, where the 2016 Kamaka Ukulele models were unveiled and a concert was held featuring ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and other noted performers, the company said.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/century-old-kamaka-hawaii-celebrates-four-generations-ukulele-making-n689126?cid=sm_tw