I appreciate this video and was lucky enough to once have lived in Hawaii. Koolau is pronounced Koh-oh-lao (rhymes with wow!). Kamaka is indeed the ukulele with history. The ukulele was invented by 3 Portuguese furniture makers from Madeira who immigrated to Hawaii and wowed Hawaii with this wonderful instrument. The first died early, the 2nd did his own work and never had an apprentice. The 3rd did and that apprentice was a Hawaiian named Kamaka who went on to form this still family-owned company. The family behind KoAloha once had a plastic fabrication shop and I'm surprised they didn't do more with plastic instruments. And I agree Joel Souza, the guy behind Kanilea, is a great mix between traditional and state-of-art. If you are interested in the traditional ukulele may I introduce Aaron Keim , a luthier and performer from Washington state who received a grant from the state of Hawaii to investigate the construction techniques of the early ukuleles. He makes amazing ukes under the Beansprout name, former luthier of Mya-moe Ukulele. Full respect to you Sir, love to this wonderful community and enjoy Hawaii!
After a lot of online research, I chose a Koaloha Pikake KTM-10, Koa. I absolutely love the way the 5 point shape is mirrored at the sound hole end of the neck, so stylish! Purchasing an instrument without having it in my hands was a difficult decision. Your video confirms that my decision was the right one for me. Thank you so much for offering up this comparison.
I did the exact same thing including the same exact model. Having three Ukes now the Koaloha is the special one and plays incredibly easily with a smooth and warm sound. I love mine. Worth every penny spent !!
I owned or tried at least a dozen ukuleles selling for under $200. Then I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with a Kamaka HF3. It was truly a revelation. The sound had so much more depth and clarity and I understood immediately why the 3 K brands are cherished. That feeling has never waned. They have truly set the standard.
Beautiful playing, a great video. I have that model of Koaloha, and hearing you play the other two just reaffirms my decision to buy the KTM-00. Such a warm sound, I love it.
Lovely playing. They all sound beautiful - and so different. I’m currently enjoying my brand new Kamaka hf3 which is a masterclass in understated elegance and honey-coloured loveliness. My Koaloha has greater bell-like clarity and plummy depths. I never got on with my Kanilea but that one sounds lovely. Mine was an older model and it sounds like the tone has developed. Thanks for the video.
…sorry i’m late…ordered a Royal Pikake…when it arrived it had been damaged beyond repair ! Replaced it with a KTM-00 and couldn’t be happier…Beautiful instrument with full balanced sound, very playable, fantastic factory hard-shell case included…
I love hearing the differences between them like this. They all make you smile, don’t they? Koaloha for me, but who’d turn down a gift of any of ‘em? Look into the Kailua Beach Park if you have time while you’re there. Most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen.
those kamaka strings make a big difference when up against the in your face clears on the others. But one thing you can rely on is whatever strings you have on a kamaka , it will always have that unmistakable kamaka Hawaiian sound . No other ukulele can do that
I recently had a Kanile'a KT1 True Reduction made with a pickup installed, placing the order while I was in Waikiki. The gig bag is amazing, the build quality is amazing, the sound is wonderful and you're right, they weigh nothing. Prior to this, my go-to had been a fairly inexpensive KoAlana. A local merchant to me at a KoAloha KTM-00 and if it wasn't that I was saving up for the Kanile'a, i think it would have come home with me. Very nice sounding instrument. While in Waikiki(same trip), I was able to experience the Kamaka KF-3. This was also an amazing instrument. I am super pleased with my choice. Enjoy your trip to Hawaii. Also check out The Ukulele Store off the main strip for Pono as that store has a lot of that brand. Also, take a trip up towards North shore to visit the Ukulele Site as they also have Pono and that other K-brand. With your visits to KoAloha, Kamaka and Kanile'a, you're going to have one heck of an enjoyable business trip.
KoAloha for style, playability and sound every time. I find Kamaka to be a bit too square and boxy to hold for very long and Kanile'a are just too blingy and they always promise more than they can deliver. Having said that the Kanile'a Baritone is very good, but if KoAloha ever did one it would blow it away!
Following on your note about the Kanile’a “Music Area” sturdy gig bag, your comment is precisely what the person who gave me the factory tour there (Benji) said. Before visiting Oahu in December 2023, I had recently purchased a used (actually, new old stock) K1-B baritone, which came in a hard-shell Kanile’a case. When I started the tour in the “front room” (when you go there, you’ll meet in a small one-room, one-counter space, then will walk to an alley next door, in which there are two larger spaces each fronted with, essentially, garage doors. This is the factory part). In that front room was a similar hard shell case. I noted, “Oh, a hardshell case, I have one of these, but I don’t see them offered anymore.” His response was the same as yours, that in their experience the super-sturdy “Music Area” gig bags they now exclusively use have actually proven to more withstand the mishaps of everyday life than the hard shell cases, so they just use those.
I just love that clear sound of Kanile'a ❤
The best ukulele is the one you play ❤
I appreciate this video and was lucky enough to once have lived in Hawaii. Koolau is pronounced Koh-oh-lao (rhymes with wow!). Kamaka is indeed the ukulele with history. The ukulele was invented by 3 Portuguese furniture makers from Madeira who immigrated to Hawaii and wowed Hawaii with this wonderful instrument. The first died early, the 2nd did his own work and never had an apprentice. The 3rd did and that apprentice was a Hawaiian named Kamaka who went on to form this still family-owned company. The family behind KoAloha once had a plastic fabrication shop and I'm surprised they didn't do more with plastic instruments. And I agree Joel Souza, the guy behind Kanilea, is a great mix between traditional and state-of-art. If you are interested in the traditional ukulele may I introduce Aaron Keim , a luthier and performer from Washington state who received a grant from the state of Hawaii to investigate the construction techniques of the early ukuleles. He makes amazing ukes under the Beansprout name, former luthier of Mya-moe Ukulele. Full respect to you Sir, love to this wonderful community and enjoy Hawaii!
Well, if we're gonna be correcting, his name is Joe Souza, not Joel. Just sayin'.
After a lot of online research, I chose a Koaloha Pikake KTM-10, Koa. I absolutely love the way the 5 point shape is mirrored at the sound hole end of the neck, so stylish!
Purchasing an instrument without having it in my hands was a difficult decision.
Your video confirms that my decision was the right one for me. Thank you so much for offering up this comparison.
I did the exact same thing including the same exact model. Having three Ukes now the Koaloha is the special one and plays incredibly easily with a smooth and warm sound. I love mine. Worth every penny spent !!
I owned or tried at least a dozen ukuleles selling for under $200. Then I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with a Kamaka HF3. It was truly a revelation. The sound had so much more depth and clarity and I understood immediately why the 3 K brands are cherished. That feeling has never waned. They have truly set the standard.
Beautiful playing, a great video. I have that model of Koaloha, and hearing you play the other two just reaffirms my decision to buy the KTM-00. Such a warm sound, I love it.
Good choice!
The Ukes are lovely and aspirational. Always really enjoy your videos. Have a great week
Lovely playing. They all sound beautiful - and so different. I’m currently enjoying my brand new Kamaka hf3 which is a masterclass in understated elegance and honey-coloured loveliness. My Koaloha has greater bell-like clarity and plummy depths. I never got on with my Kanilea but that one sounds lovely. Mine was an older model and it sounds like the tone has developed. Thanks for the video.
I love that word, plummy, for Koaloha. Perfect.
…sorry i’m late…ordered a Royal Pikake…when it arrived it had been damaged beyond repair ! Replaced it with a KTM-00 and couldn’t be happier…Beautiful instrument with full balanced sound, very playable, fantastic factory hard-shell case included…
I love hearing the differences between them like this. They all make you smile, don’t they? Koaloha for me, but who’d turn down a gift of any of ‘em?
Look into the Kailua Beach Park if you have time while you’re there. Most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen.
I have ordered a ktm-06, anxiously waiting its arrival.
those kamaka strings make a big difference when up against the in your face clears on the others. But one thing you can rely on is whatever strings you have on a kamaka , it will always have that unmistakable kamaka Hawaiian sound . No other ukulele can do that
Three lovely ukuleles but I prefer the sound of the Koaloha. Out of my price range unfortunately, at least until I win the lottery!
I recently had a Kanile'a KT1 True Reduction made with a pickup installed, placing the order while I was in Waikiki. The gig bag is amazing, the build quality is amazing, the sound is wonderful and you're right, they weigh nothing. Prior to this, my go-to had been a fairly inexpensive KoAlana. A local merchant to me at a KoAloha KTM-00 and if it wasn't that I was saving up for the Kanile'a, i think it would have come home with me. Very nice sounding instrument. While in Waikiki(same trip), I was able to experience the Kamaka KF-3. This was also an amazing instrument. I am super pleased with my choice. Enjoy your trip to Hawaii. Also check out The Ukulele Store off the main strip for Pono as that store has a lot of that brand. Also, take a trip up towards North shore to visit the Ukulele Site as they also have Pono and that other K-brand. With your visits to KoAloha, Kamaka and Kanile'a, you're going to have one heck of an enjoyable business trip.
great video Alex.. i'm thinking if funds allow.. of getting another Kanilea Tenor.. and would like to give a Flight Solid Body Baritone... in p/x.. ?
Sure... this probably isn't the place to talk about it but do get in touch with us direct we can help :)
KoAloha for style, playability and sound every time. I find Kamaka to be a bit too square and boxy to hold for very long and Kanile'a are just too blingy and they always promise more than they can deliver. Having said that the Kanile'a Baritone is very good, but if KoAloha ever did one it would blow it away!
Following on your note about the Kanile’a “Music Area” sturdy gig bag, your comment is precisely what the person who gave me the factory tour there (Benji) said. Before visiting Oahu in December 2023, I had recently purchased a used (actually, new old stock) K1-B baritone, which came in a hard-shell Kanile’a case. When I started the tour in the “front room” (when you go there, you’ll meet in a small one-room, one-counter space, then will walk to an alley next door, in which there are two larger spaces each fronted with, essentially, garage doors. This is the factory part). In that front room was a similar hard shell case. I noted, “Oh, a hardshell case, I have one of these, but I don’t see them offered anymore.” His response was the same as yours, that in their experience the super-sturdy “Music Area” gig bags they now exclusively use have actually proven to more withstand the mishaps of everyday life than the hard shell cases, so they just use those.