Kau’wela Ukulele
The Kau’wela Ukulele Company is a Hawaiian firm based in Kailua. They describe their ukes as being, “built strictly to traditional Hawaiian ukulele specifications,” which I would guess means they are not made in Hawaii (although they are set up there).
The Kau’wela ukes’ most distinctive feature is zebrawood: an African wood named after its stripy appearance.
Kau’wela Ukulele Review
David reviews his Kau’wela super-concert ukulele.
On eBay
4 Comments
My father-in-law found a Kauwela at a garage sale and gave it to me before he left to New Zealand. I’ve grown up playing the uke and since my last Kamaka, the Kauwela is the probably the closest thing to it. The Zebrawood is a beautiful feature. It’s thick, heavy, and doesn’t feel cheap. It plays well and I’m extremely happy with it. This is the only Kauwela I’ve come across so I can’t speak for Kauwela as a brand, but I’m very happy with my uke. I would definitely recommend it, assuming they’re all like mine.
I wish I had bought 5 Kau’ Wela ukes when I had the opportunity — just the most beautiful uke of the four I own. I did purchase a really nice acoustic/electric Luna uke, but I always come back to my zebra wood super concert Kau’ Wela. (And it was very reasonable when I bought it!)
I just found a Kau Wela zebra wood concert secondhand on the mainland and bought it right away, although I’d never heard of them before. I also have a Kamaka and agree with Harris, this Kau Wela is comparable in sound and body shape. I’m very happy with it. It’s a lot of uke for the price. If you can find one. Original owner claimed he purchased it in Honolulu at the swapmeet.
I was recently given a Kau Wela tenor by a friend in Honolulu, as a gift. Everyone who’s heard it has remarked about the instrument’s tone and resonance.
Does anyone have any current intelligence on the company? Are they still in business, are there any retail shops who carry this There’s not much online information available.
Got something to say?