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NANI
Lokahi
USA
292 Posts |
 Posted - 07/31/2008 : 07:23:39 AM
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OK here is the problem. With all of the NEW plane regulations it is getting awful carrying a Ukulele back and forth to Hawaii.
1 carryon charging for all suitcases except carry on has left me with the option of taking only a carry on and leaving clothes ect at the condo. I wear the same thing every year anyway so why bother shleping it back and forth.
Since I have this Option of leaving things in Hawaii I thought why not leave a Ukulele there as well so e my next question is what to get as a back up Ukulele.
As well as how to go about this. Do I wait till I get there and then go Ukulele shopping or get one and have it shipped to the Condo.
I want to stay with a tenor so would love to hear how others feel about their Ukuleles I am not looking for a Kamaka or a KoAloha just a wonderful sound. And if you have ever purchased a Ukulele on the Big Island recommendations of any shops would be wonderful.
Gotta start planning after all I only have 142 days left. Crazy HUH!
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"A hui hou kakou, malama pono".
Nancy |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2008 : 08:19:48 AM
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hi nani! i like the way you think! but, it won't be your backup `ukulele, it will be your hawai`i ukulele...
i think that the best collection of ukulele are in hilo, at hilo guitars and ukuleles: http://www.hiloguitars.com but i think the prices for inexpensive ukulele are the same or better on the mainland. closer to kona, the holualoa `ukulele gallery (http://www.konaweb.com/ukegallery/index.html) has beautiful instruments, but they're not inexpensive and i couldn't imagine leaving one of them away from me for a long time.
if you get it on the mainland, i'd carry it rather than shipping it, but then again i like to spend the time waiting for a flight with my uke. last week i was in o'hare playing softly, and then i noticed i had attracted a small audience o_o
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Baritone
Lokahi
USA
136 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2008 : 10:57:09 AM
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| E Aloha nei, Nani! Asumming it is Hilo you're going... See Dennis Lake (luthier & propietor of Po Mahina) at Hilo G & U. My home is Hilo. My Hilo ukulele is tenor Fluke. My mains are Po Mahine ukulele and guitar. Hilo G&u does not carry Bushman but another brand that comes out of the same factory (sorry: forgot the name). Do ask Hilo G&U because I did but decided to get a Po Mahina 4-string tenor manufactured. |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2008 : 2:48:41 PM
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quote:
See Dennis Lake (luthier & propietor of Po Mahina) at Hilo G & U
herb, good point - but contact dennis first (http://www.konaweb.com/mahina/) because i don't think he's there every day.
heck, another option is to sign up for aloha music camp at keauhou and make an ukulele with dennis. ^_^
aloha,
keith
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Pops
Lokahi
USA
387 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2008 : 4:18:41 PM
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Nani,
If you don't want to break the bank, I've found Ponos to be very pono! In terms of mailing one to a condo when you're not there, I'd be comfortable with that if you had someone who could pick it up for you and store it properly until you arrive. What would be even better would be to have a 'ukulele player pick it up for you and do a check up for you to make sure that Fed Ex or UPS, etc., didn't damage it during shipping.
Peace,
Mark |
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Earl
`Olu`olu
USA
523 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2008 : 10:39:55 AM
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I would try to find a Tangi. His shop is in an industrial park not far from the Honolulu airport (on Sand Island) if you have a stopover. Make an appointment first, as he is not always in. Tangi's are good sound and good value. It takes some effort to go over $400 including a hard case.
We saw some Tangi for sale in the kite shop on Molokai last year. Don't know about availability on the Big Island.
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noeau
Ha`aha`a
USA
1105 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2008 : 4:31:07 PM
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| I second Pops recommendation. |
No'eau, eia au he mea pa'ani wale nō. |
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hapuna
Lokahi
USA
159 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2008 : 10:12:00 AM
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I don't know what kind of time you may have etc. but I think you should check craig's list. There are a hell of a lot of ukes for sale in hawaii used and I think you can get a very good deal. Besides the Ponos I think the Lanikais are pretty good also. Here is a listing of ukes for sale that I just searched. There are 31 listings!!
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=uke&minAsk=min&maxAsk=max
Good Luck! |
hapuna
Seattle |
Edited by - hapuna on 08/03/2008 10:17:38 AM |
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konacat
Aloha
36 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2008 : 08:50:36 AM
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Check out the HOLUALOA UKULELE GALLERY. I believe the owner Sam Rosen gives building classes set up for visitors. Give him a call or email for info. Just build your own. I guarantee playing one that you build yourself is a good feeling. http://www.konaweb.com/ukegallery/index.html
Be sure to stop by the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort in the evening to view the giant Manta Rays. Very ineresting! Look off the rail in front of the ocean facing pool.
http://www.sheratonkeauhou.com/mantarayexperience.htm
Have Fun
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Philip The only thing worse than my playing is my singing. |
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Kai Kane
Aloha
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2008 : 03:24:32 AM
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Aloha
Just back from an unforgettable visit to Hawai`i nei. Mahalo nui loa to my `Ohana and to Dennis, Konabob, Shirley, Bulla, Jeff, James Hill, Sam Rosen and the Holualoa Kanakipila,Kona Honu Divers,Manta Captain Kirk, Waipio Boys and all for making it so...see Dennis Lake and Sam before you buy. PO MAHINA will spoil you. A hui hou, Sandy. |
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NANI
Lokahi
USA
292 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 04:39:18 AM
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OK I agree with everything said here I built a Ukuele with Dennis last Feb and he and his PO MAHINA are very special. BUT I want something I will enjoy playing while in Hawaii yet be able to leave there not something I will never be able to be torn away from so I have set a price range for my self of less than $600.00 give or take a dollar or two if the perfect instrument crosses my path. I have NEVER seen one of Dennis's Ukuleles in that range. I prefer Tenor size and sound. And as far as building another one for my self. I really want something to play the day I arrive and I KNOW how much LOVE SWEAT AND TEARS can go into the Building of a beloved ukulele and Thanks but It will be a LONG time before I start my next one.My lungs took a long time to recover from the finishing of the last one.
Here is a photo of my Ukulele Family including my "Pupu Awa" that I made at Camp with Dennis
My Family
My Baby
Details
I am not a HUGH fan of te Fluke so am not thinking of getting another like it to leave in Hawaii. I know others love it But it is just not the right instrument for me. I also have a Flea that my Daughter is using as well as a Kala that my son plays. I am considering another Kala.
Does anyone know anything about the Mele Ukulele I have seen a couple on ebay latly but have never heard one and they sound interesting?
Thanks for all the input.
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"A hui hou kakou, malama pono".
Nancy |
Edited by - NANI on 08/11/2008 04:40:07 AM |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 12:03:59 PM
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Nani na `ukulele! what's that doohickey on the head of your po mahina? is it a shell? it's the pupu `awa?
mele ukes can be good, but i'd want to play it first.... i own a tenor six string i got at a music store (gabe's, in los angeles). it has good intonation, but since i pick i don't use it much.
i understand your reasoning... unless you can get yourself to a good ukulele store (are there any in deleware?), i'd suggest you go to hilo guitar and ukulele when denden is working there. that way you can try them out and find out what you like best.
have fun!
aloha,
keith
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Edited by - marzullo on 08/11/2008 1:20:41 PM |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 12:14:20 PM
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PS - nani, when i was trying to figure out if there was a good uke store near you, i checked your member page here. that led me to your photo album of the february AMC.
oh my gosh. seeing kaupoa and auntie nona, and all the activiity, and nancy shopping on the beach... why didn't we go??
it's a beautiful album
aloha,
keith
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 12:48:08 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by NANI
Does anyone know anything about the Mele Ukulele I have seen a couple on ebay latly but have never heard one and they sound interesting?
I have three very different ukes, but my primary instrument is a six-string tenor Mele that I got on Kaua`i a few years ago. It gives me the tone and volume that I needed, since most of my uke playing (at the time) was strumming, to accompany hula dancers. I've been very happy with it. |
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Doug Fitch
Akahai
USA
80 Posts |
Posted - 08/11/2008 : 5:11:34 PM
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| Hi Nani, I too like your thinking. I have a friend from Japan who leaves a 'ukulele here on O'ahu. It works out great. I really love my Pono tenor 'ukulele. Mine is a solid mahagony with spruce top (for extra zing!). It comes with a hard case and is a real joy! I'm pretty sure you can get one on Hawai'i island. Click here and on "dealers" http://www.koolauukulele.com/ There are several dealers on Big Isle, even in Hilo! I love this sucker and think you would too. By the way, I also have fallen in love with Aquila brand strings. I use the wound low G string (ok, no G string jokes guys!). Hopes thats useful info. Have fun!! Doug |
Doug Fitch
fitchdoug @ yahoo.com
www.dougfitchmusic.com
http://youtube.com/user/dougfitchmusic |
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Kai Kane
Aloha
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2008 : 01:22:38 AM
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Nice family Nani! I told Dennis that I'm coming to Aloha camp for my 60th birthday, to give me something to look forward to!
A hui hou
Sandy
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