Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 4, 1 April 1989 — Kamaka Factory 30 Years In Kaka ʻako [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kamaka Factory 30 Years In Kaka ʻako

For 30 years now, the Kamaka ukulele factory on South St. in Kakaako has been making the trademark instrument of Hawai'i. An island fixture, this family business has been at its present location since March 1959, creating Hawaiian koa ukuleles and guitars for generations of music lovers. Today known as Kamaka Hawaii, Ine. it is a family-owned corporation doing business primarily in the state of Hawai'i. However it has been visited by buyers from all over the world. Its customers range from music stores, schools, church and social groups to professional musicians. The factory's custom hand-made ukuleles are famous and ean be ordered "anytime from anywhere in the world." The love of ukuleles goes back a long way for the Kamaka family. It began in June 1905 when Samuel K. Kamaka, Sr. started work as an apprentice in the musical instrument factory of Manuel Nunes, located on the corner of Merchant and Alakea St. Nunes is credited as the inventor of the Hawaiian ukulele late in the 19th century, derived from a Portugese instrument. Kamaka continued to work there until March 1916. Then he began to make ukuleles in the basement of his 5th Avenue home, about a dozen instruments by hand. In 1921 Kamaka established his first factory, Kamaka Ukulele and Guitar Works, at 1814 South King St. He hired his first assistants, Paul Kama and John Kaanohi, to assist in producing more instruments to meet demand. In 1928 he designed the pineapple-shaped ukulele whieh gave a more mellow sound because of the internal volume of the box. This model was the most popular one from 1930-1935, and is still sold today. In 1945, Kamaka reorganized the business as a partnership, Kamaka and Sons Enterprises, to include his sons Sam, Jr. and Fred. The factory remained at its Pawaa junction location.

Samuel Sr. died in December, 1953. His son, Samuel K. Kamaka, Jr., a candidate for a doctorate degree in entomology at Oregon State University, returned to take over operation of the business. The wholesale price of the standard ukulele that year was $5. Samuel Jr. hired three workers and began a practice whieh continues to this day, of hiring deaf employees. He notes that the workers have their own very accurate method of determining the correct resonance of the ukuleles while in eonstruction, by tapping and sensing the vibration of

the soundbox. The factory doubled in size when it opened March 2, 1959 in a new building at 550 South Street. This is its current location. That year, Samuel Jr. designed a new six-string double octave ukulele to celebrate Hawaii's statehood. It is still sold as a "Lili'u six tenor ukulele." Sam's forte as a designer continued to be shown through the years as he introduced other new models. From 1964 through 1970 the business held a licensee in Japan, Kamaka Japan, Ltd. whieh produced Philippine mahogany ukuleles for distribution throughout the Orient. Some were imported to Hawaii for sale mainly to schools. During the same time, Samuel Jr. co-designed with musician and ukulele instructor Herbert Ohta ("Ohta-San") a bell-shaped ukulele that produced a sharp, clear tone for the picking style Ohta made famous. The company reorganized in 1968 and incorporated as Kamaka Hawaii, ine. Four years later, brother Fred'Kamaka retired after 25 years in the U.S. Army and took on responsibilities as business and office manager. To celebrate the bicentennial of the United States of America, Kamaka Hawaii introduced its second multiple string, double octave ukulele, known as the "Lili'u Eight." Another eommemorative ukulele was introduced in 1978 to celebrate the centennial of the arrival of the Portugese to Hawai'i aboard the Priscilla. That year also marked the 50th anniversary of the pineapple ukulele designed by Sam Kamaka, Sr. T oday the officers and key personnel of Kamaka Hawaii, ine. are: Samuel K. Kamaka, Jr., president and factory manager; Frederick K. Kamaka, vicepresident and business manager; Geraldine M. Kamaka, secretary; Elizabeth L. Kamaka, treasurer and bookkeeper, Christopher K. Kamaka, distribution manager, and Frederick K. Kamaka, Jr., computer programmer and analyst.

Sam Kamaka is the instrument designer for Kamaka Ukuleles, and knows all about suitable woods and construction.