October 5, 2006

Aloha John, Noa, Andrew and Kilin,

Today, I bought my 5th Ko’olau ukulele! Yes, you heard it right, 5 of them.

My story with you and your family started January 2003 when I bought my first Ko’olau Baritone, Model 200SP.

I was searching for an ukulele with the right sound. I had been to practically every music store on the island and played many fine ukuleles but none of them had “that sound” I was looking for. Finally, somebody mentioned a custom ukulele shop named Ko’olau Guitar and Ukulele. I walked in and saw John and Noa hard at work. John looked up and said if you want to order anything it will be six months to get anything. I said, “Ok, I’ll have a look around anyway”. I saw a Ko’olau baritone hanging on the wall so I picked it up and played it. It was the most fascinating thing to hear the notes ringing in my ears. I thought, this is “nuts”. I smiled and laughed to my self. I went and got my son Joshua and my wife Diane to come and hear. I played the Ko’olau and John played it for us as well. Evidently, we heard the same thing, music bouncing around in our ears. Excitement, joy! Sold!

In October 2006, Joshua told me that I wasn’t getting any younger and he wanted to learn how to play the treasured Ko’olau he would inherit one day.

I called John Kitakis and explained my situation. John suggested a tenor for Joshua and said he would have one to see that he just finished, a Model 300 all Hawaiian Mahogany. When Josh and I saw it our first reaction was wow, the most beautiful ukulele we had ever seen. I told Josh let’s not tip our hand and hear what it sounds like. Well, if sparkling and kicking sound gives you any idea what an impression this ukulele made. Let me tell you we bought it right there and then! When I got it home an additional surprise had me mind boggled. THE RESONANCE! Vibrating my hands and arms. It is exhilarating and a joy to play. I pray that as an amateur or pro you would find such an instrument to play to enrich your life and those around you. Now the down side, I wanted it to be my main squeeze.

I called John again and said anything else to look at? John said the he just finished another two more that I could look at. I figured well it would be easier to teach Josh if we both had tenors. What colluded thinking was that? Ah, just another way to get another Ko’olau.

Guess what? A Model 300 all Koa gem was found in one of the ukulele cases that arrived two days later. I have got to tell you. Sometimes when I open the case I have just got to stare at it before I take it out of the case. What a splendid treasure! Oh yes I bought it. And yes we all know that Koa produces warm sweet sounds but does it also project so loud that the volume makes you wonder how it can do that, amazing. This Ko’olau is Joshua’s main squeeze.

A few days later, Kilin suggested that I look at a Model 200 spruce and blond Koa. I thought what clarity, balance and quality of sound. Andrew told me he thought it had the best professional quality sound. Kilin came walking out of the back of the store and asked if we had put it on a small amp. However, there was no pick up in the ukulele and Kilin looked a little “bendaggled”. He invited my son to the back of store to his work area to understand why he thought the ukulele had an amp on it. I played while my son was in Kilin’s work are in back. Joshua came back to the front of the store where I was playing and had an awed look on his face. I asked him, “so how was it”? He looked at me and gave me a nod of assurance. Sold! Buy the way. Did I mention the appearance of the ukulele? Have you seen beautiful “tiger clawed” blonde Koa? The main thing to remember is never let the seller see you flinch at the beauty of it. It destroys your ability to negotiate. (Actually with Ko’olau’s there is no negotiating.) Further, it doesn’t help when you confirm the sale but will leave the ukulele for a little upgrading and TWO CUSTOMERS WALK IN AND MAKE FIRM OFFERS TO BUY THE UKULELE. Only to be disappointed and somewhat irritated that it just sold before they walked in! When you play this Ko’olau ukulele you understand what clean precise sound an ukulele can make. It goes beyond the thwangs and deadened sounds that you can accept until you hear this.

Now tell me, what do you say to your wife when she says no to a 5th Koolau?

1. You have a baritone spruce and Honduran mahogany special all decked out with ebony and abalone sounding sooooo classy.
2. You have a all Hawaiian Mahogany tenor that sings to your soul and is stunning to behold.
3. You have a all Koa tenor that is a splendid gem that sounds so warm and sweet but loud enough to knock you down.
4. You have a spruce and blonde Koa tenor that inspires you to excellence that has a look desired by all.

You tell your wife, have you seen that Model 400 premium curly Koa high gloss finish that you don’t need to tilt in the light to see that tiger claw grain, it’s right there, bam? Imagine that the color was now light and dark cream (rare Mango wood, figured like this, maybe years to find another if ever.) I may be one of kind figured like this.

You tell your wife the top is the most expensive spruce they have, Adirondack “red” Spruce and the rest is decked out in ebony and abalone.

You tell your wife when you grab the neck and finger the strings you know that this is unmistakably a high quality instrument. And the sound… where are the adjectives? I will use wonderful, even though that does not cover it! John, thank you. You helped convince my wife. I am happy, overwhelmed and excited. Sold!

Warmest regards,

Harry, Josh and Diane

P. S. Joshua will inherit one of the finest and unique collections of Ko’olau Ukuleles on planet earth. ‘Till then, we remain joyfully inspired, awed with a deep sense of thanksgiving as we play on.