Kanile’a Ukulele
RatingsKanilea Ukuleles are a Hawaiian company run by Joseph and Kristen Souza. All their ukuleles are made in Hawaii and you can take a tour of the factory if you happen to be on Oahu (you can find out more on their website).
Kanilea Ukulele Review
Ken Middleton reviews his Kanile'a K1-C
On eBay
 Kanilea KC 1 Concert Ukulele Uke UV Finish  US $650.00
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 KANILEA PREMIUM SELECT CURLY KOA 4 STRING CUSTOM UKULELE OOAK US $2,395.00
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 KANILEA PREMIIUM CURLY KOA 4 STRING TENOR UKULELE US $1,400.00
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On Video
Lorraine from Learn to Uke goes on a trip round the Kanile'a factory.
5 Comments
I recently purchased the special edition Hawaii 50th Kanile’a CS ukulele, and I must say, the sound, finish and material/construction of the ukulele is amazing. Now I don’t know if it is worth the money I paid but it is beautiful.
I.ve been playing a ukulele for the better part of 50th years and have a collection of martins’, kamakas’ and iland (Ropozo) ukuleles on hand. I also have been making ukuleles for a while so I have a good understanding of how they are made and the sound it should have.
I’m a Kauai boy born and raised but now live on the coast; and, in a few years I hope to return to my roots. (retiring)
It’s was my absolute privilege to meet Joe and Kristin Souza and their wonderful family.
It’s been my further privilege to play one of their Tenor ukes for the past 3 years. It’s a unique instrument and I have used it to record the worlds first ever ukulele power ballad!
Love it!
Simon Clothier
http://www.worldsfirstukulelepowerballad.com
Bought a Kelii tenor in 2009 ($490USD) and after a couple years I got to be a better uke player and wanted an expensive one, LOL! Couldn’t spend that much money blind so I drove from ST. Louis to Indianapolis to sample a variety of upper end ukes from Ukulelehotline.com because they had them in stock. I’m glad I made the drive! I played Breedlove, Delgado, Koolau, and Kanilea tenors. My top 3 picks were all Kanilea! I bought the K-1 DLX SF ($988USD). The Kelii is a very good instrument but the Kanilea, although similar, has a higher build quality, attention to detail, and refined tone that is worth the extra money in my opinion and I’m picky!
There have some questions as to how to solve the case problem for a Kanilea super tenor. From the measurements available. It appears that a Fremont tenor case will work quit well, wide enough and not to long.
I recently had the incredibly good fortune to find a K1 tenor in Satin Finish at a local music store for close to $200 below common retail price. It was pure luck, and perfect timing, since I’d been saving money for the better part of a year specifically for a Hawai’ian “K” brand.
I don’t know that words can really do this instrument justice. Everything about it is top-quality: from the workmanship to the sound. And in the two months I’ve owned it, it’s only getting better as it begins to open up and let it’s true voice out.
The best part of joining the Kanile’a family had to be my brief interactions with Mr. Souza. I had some minor questions and emailed him, and he showed not only genuine interest but a strong dedication to his product. It was refreshing.
It seems very trite to say, but anyone who is even part way serious about playing the ‘ukulele really does owe it to themselves to get a genuine, made by hand in Hawai’i uke. It may take time to scrape the money together, but you’ll be rewarded 100-fold at least with an instrument that will surpass all your hopes.
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