Tiny pieces of abalone shell fall into place on the bridge of the ʻukulele spelling out the glittering words: 110 years. The work is taking place inside Kamaka Hawai’i, a four-generation family business located on South Street in Kaka’ako, not far from Waterfront Plaza. This year, the shop celebrates its 110th year in business.
Today, it is older than the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, which is about to turn 100 years old, and Aloha Tower, which is already a centenarian.
At its helm is Chris Kamaka Sr., its president, who follows in the footsteps of his father, Sam Kamaka Jr., and grandfather, Sam Kamaka Sr., who founded the family business. His son, Christopher Kamaka Jr., represents the fourth generation of a family tradition.
The family is in the business of producing one of the state instruments: ‘ukulele. The instruments are played by ‘ukulele virtuosos including Jake Shimabukuro, Taimane Gardner, Herb Ohta and many more. Instruments made by the company have also been played by movie stars, including Adam Sandler, in "50 First Dates."
And this weekend, ʻukulele is being celebrated as part of the International ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi, a free event that returns to the Kapiʻolani Park Bandstand, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, and features live performances, ʻukulele makers — such as Kamaka ʻUkulele, — as well as food vendors, educational activities and more. New this year are performances at the Waikīkī Beach Walk stage, which extend the festival experience into the heart of Waikīkī on Saturday, July 11.
On Friday, the International ʻUkulele Festival of Hawaiʻi held its Gala Party, which celebrated Kamaka ʻUkulele’s 110-year anniversary with a Generations of Tradition Concert that featured Raiatea Helm, Kimié Miner, Jeff Peterson, Kris Fuchigame, and Mākena, which combines members of Hoʻokena and Mākaha Sons of Niʻihau, at the Royal Hawaiian Theater, which seats up to 750 people.
Kamaka ʻUkulele’s founder, Sam Kamaka Sr., started making ‘ukulele for family and friends in his garage in Kaimukī as a hobby.
“He got to travel the world a little bit as a merchant marine and even had a gig in New York for a little while before he came home and decided to do this,” said the company’s president. “He was always intrigued with the string instrument, and he played guitar, ‘ukulele, and bass, but ‘ukulele was always fascinating to him. It was small and easy to play. He started building ʻukulele in his garage as a hobby for family and friends.”
Music ran in the family. In fact, a lot of family members were musicians who used to greet the cruise ships when they came into the harbor.
“It kind of blossomed from there,” Kamaka said. “He started his first shop at King Street and eventually had to move out to the farm.”
That was in Waiʻanae.
In 1921, Sam Kamaka opened Kamaka ʻUkulele and Guitar Works at 1814 South King Street. He created the pineapple ʻukulele in 1928. (Courtesy of Kamaka ʻUkulele) 
Sam Kamaka Sr. holds a pineapple ʻukulele in the early 1950s. (Courtesy of Kamaka ʻUkulele) 
A historical photo of Kamaka ʻUkulele and Guitar Works that shows inside the store on South King Street. (Courtesy of Kamaka ʻUkulele)
His grandfather also invented the pineapple ʻukulele, which has a rounded belly, rather than the classic figure eight design.
That design came up because he was experimenting with shapes and was using a pipe to shape the wooden instruments, Kamaka said. A rounded shape was easier to create. Different shapes also had different tones, he added.
“When we saw it, he thought: ʻThis kind of looks like a pineapple,’” he said. “And he even had an artist that he contracted with that was close to the shop to paint.”
The original patent for the design still hangs behind the cash register on the first floor of the factory.
After his grandfather died in 1953, his father took over. Kamaka’s father had been away at school pursuing a doctorate in entomology, or the study of insects, before returning home to care for his grandfather. He decided to pursue the family business for a year and re-evaluate.
“He did research at the library on instrument building,” Kamaka said. “And from there built the shop in 1958, where we are today.”
Every instrument starts with Koa wood.
“From the beginning, Koa was always our go-to, mainly because it's from Hawaiʻi,” he said. “And it's a beautiful wood, and it's highly sought after — not only for instruments, but for flooring, cabinets, furniture. But for instruments it's ideal. It's got a beautiful tonal quality.”
Today, Kamaka ʻUkulele produces instruments in four sizes: soprano, alto, tenor and baritone.
Over more than 100 years, there have been some difficult periods, including the recession.
“During Covid was another tough time,” Kamaka said. “They actually shut us down because they deemed us non-essential, which is kind of weird, because people were calling from all over the place wanting to get a new ʻukulele, because they're just stuck at home.”
In June, the company launched a collaboration with the popular aloha wear brand Manuhealiʻi to celebrate its milestone anniversary. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi also proclaimed June 18 – his father’s birthday – Kamaka Day, in honor of the 110th anniversary of the ʻukulele business, he added.
Other collaborations are coming soon. In August, a special edition ʻukulele will be released for ʻAulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, for its 15th anniversary, he added. The design includes Mickey Mouses on the fingerboard.
“There's even a hidden Mickey in the instrument,” Kamaka said.
Kamaka ʻUkulele also has a collaboration with Reyn Spooner in the works to honor the ʻukulele business’ 110th anniversary, he said. And a new collaboration with Polynesian Voyaging Society is in the works for a fundraiser for the nonprofit.
Take a free guided tour of Kamaka ʻUkulele at 10:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. Details.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
