Our Craft

Creating the World’s Finest Ukulele

Kamaka Hawaii produces the finest ukulele in the world. Like its ukuleles, the family-owned business continues to endure, handcrafting ukuleles in Hawaii using original design molds created and perfected by founder and legendary craftsman, Samuel (Sam) Kaialiilii Kamaka Sr. For more than 100 years, Kamaka Hawaii has perfected the art of ukulele making with an unsurpassed commitment to excellence and superior craftsmanship—building an international reputation for the sound and soul of its one-of-a-kind instruments. 

Selecting the Finest Koa

Crafting a Kamaka ukulele involves more hands than machines. It begins with the selection of the finest koa wood from locally sourced, salvaged trees. Vice President and Custom Luthier Casey Kamaka continues the tradition of his father, Sam Kamaka Jr., by traveling to Hawaii island to work with local growers to select the wood from which Kamaka ukulele are born. As a young boy, Casey accompanied his dad on these trips to learn the art of selecting the highest quality logs and choosing a variety of koa that represented a range of sounds amidst the almost absolute quiet of the surrounding forest.

It starts with a quiet forest and transforms into a one-of-a-kind instrument that creates the most beautiful music.

— casey kamaka, vice president and custom luthier

Crafting a Kamaka ukulele involves more hands than machines. It begins with the selection of the finest Koa wood from locally sourced, salvaged trees.

Generational Knowledge

Unlike other manufacturers that kiln dry the wood before creating instruments, all of the wood used to create a Kamaka ukulele is dried naturally over a period of five or six years at the factory in Honolulu before it is cut and shaped by master craftsmen. Since 1916, the company has used this natural drying process to ensure the full-bodied, soulful sound of every Kamaka ukulele. And not every piece of wood ultimately becomes an instrument. During the building process, if it is discovered that the wood does not meet the standards of a Kamaka ukulele, it is set aside for other purposes and never becomes an instrument. Only the finest, most beautiful and musical koa are used to craft a Kamaka instrument. Learn more about Casey’s process.

“When I’m working, I’m listening to what the wood is telling me. When I’m cutting the wood with a chisel, I’m listening to see if I’ve done too much or not enough. As I’m sanding, I’m listening to how the wood responds. The process of creating a Kamaka ukulele is musical.”—Casey Kamaka

A Team Effort

The culture of Kamaka Hawaii centers on quality. Every member of the team understands that the standard of success is perfection. This drive to create only the highest quality ukuleles is what separates Kamaka from other manufacturers, and is the reason Kamaka Hawaii has continued to endure and succeed more than 100 years after its founding. This commitment to excellence is as unwavering and timeless as a Kamaka ukulele itself.

Attention to Detail

During the building process, every ukulele is touched by at least 20 craftsmen working together at the Kamaka Hawaii factory in Honolulu.

luthier benjamin vance

Luthier Benjamin Vance carefully aligns and adheres multiple parts of the ukulele top, neck and bridge, the step before the soundboard and back of the ukulele are added prior to the finishing process.

“I’m a luthier. It’s not just what I do, it’s who I am. From the cutting of the wood through every phase of the building process, everyone double checks everyone else’s work. We’re constantly making sure that every step of the build is flawless.”—Benjamin Vance

Master craftsman miles olsen

Master craftsman Miles Olsen handcrafts the ukulele fretboard, first meticulously adding metal wires across the frets and later carefully connecting the fretboard to the neck of the instrument. Music is his inspiration for building every Kamaka ukulele.

“I think of a beat in my head and get into a rhythm while I’m building the fretboard. Hammer, hammer, cut, cut, hammer, hammer, cut, cut. It keeps me focused and my work consistent. When I see famous musicians on stage, playing our instruments, I feel proud to be a part of this ukulele legacy.”—Miles Olsen

The Ties that Bind

“When we do our binding, we use ropes and jigs, the same tools we’ve used to craft ukulele since 1916. We use the latest tools too, but we don’t get rid of what works. It’s the perfect blend of the old and the new that results in the highest quality ukuleles that are only made by Kamaka Hawaii.”
—Benjamin Vance, Luthier

A Commitment to Excellence

President Chris Kamaka personally inspects and plays every instrument before it is released for sale, ensuring the soulful sound and a tradition of excellence for every ukulele that bears the Kamaka name.

“My dad would play every instrument before it left the shop to make sure the sound was of the highest quality; a task he eventually passed on to me. By the time the instrument is in my hands, it’s gone through countless quality checks. What I do, if needed, is fine tune and make sure that the sound, look and feel of the ukulele is consistent with every Kamaka ukulele that came before and will come after it.”—Chris Kamaka

Learn about Chris’ process

Chris Kamaka inspecting a finished ukulele

My dad would play every instrument before it left the shop to make sure the sound was of the highest quality; a task he eventually passed on to me. By the time the instrument is in my hands, it’s gone through countless quality checks. What I do, if needed, is fine tune and make sure that the sound, look and feel of the ukulele is consistent with every Kamaka ukulele that came before and will come after it.

— chris kamaka