“Ko’olau” and “Pono” are registered trademarks of the Ko’olau Guitar and ‘Ukulele Company

A - Yes, and both sound good ….. just different. Traditionally, Mahogany and Koa have both been used for stringed instruments, and both have their own distinctive sound. Both good, just different. Pono mahogany ’ukuleles are very similar to the classic Martin and Gibson mahogany ‘ukulele. Sweet and mellow, with good volume and projection. Pono Koa ‘ukuleles have the same characteristics of most ‘ukuleles made of Koa, slightly brighter in tone and strong in projection. Again, they both sound good, just different. Our original design was to build Pono Guitars and ‘Ukuleles with solid Mahogany, a wood used throughout history for fine quality guitars and ’ukuleles, but we received many requests for Koa wood due to it’s traditional Polynesian beauty. But Hawaiian Koa wood is limited in supply, and high in demand, so our Pono Koa line will be a very limited production, and cost will be higher.

Q – Now you have other woods such as Rosewood, Ebony, and Mango. In what ways are they different?

A – Rosewood has been used for guitars for hundreds of years for its deep resonant tone, however Rosewood is too hard and dense to use as a top wood, so usually it’s combined with Spruce or Cedar. We use Canadian Cedar for our PTR-CE Tenor and PBR-CE Baritone. Another wood that we using is Macassar Ebony. As with Rosewood, we combine Ebony back and sides with a different top wood, in the case of the PTE-CE Tenor and PBE-CE we use Alaskan and Canadian Spruce. Most people are familiar with an ebony wood from Africa, in particular, Madagascar, which is traditionally all black. Macassar Ebony is an Asian variety, still black, but streaked with beautiful brown colors, and the most stable of all ebony woods,but the same deep resonant tonal qualities of Rosewood. The difference between Rosewood and Ebony is difficult to explain, they both sound good, and both produce deep, warm bass tones.
Mango is the least known and used in stringed instrument manufacturing. One of our favorites though, Mango has tonal properties very similar to mahogany and koa. Visually, Mango is a color collage of brown, yellow, and green. We call it our exotically “wild” wood, with grain and color patterns very “artistic” but not consistant and symmetrical as other woods. We select the most figured grain available. We use two grades of Mango wood. For our Mango Delux Series (Exotic Series), for Pono Mango guitars, we use an outstanding curly and spalted Mango, very rare and limited so only for these models. For the regular Mango Series of 'ukuleles we use our select grade of Mango, still pretty and some figured grain.

Q – You have two different styles of Pono Koa ‘ukuleles, what is the difference?

A – Currently we have a style #1 and style #2. Style #1 is made of select, light figured Koa wood, no top binding, a simple rope marquetry rosette inlay, and Grover open geared tuners. Style #2 has more figured grain woods, top and back ebony binding, top rope purfling, abalone rosette, and Grover mini-rotomatic tuners with ebony buttons.
Currently we have an inventory stock of both styles, however please note that future production of style #2 will be very limited due to availability.

Also a very limited production is our very fancy 500 models. Our finest grade of Koa is used, with abalone purfling on the top and back, maple binding, and shell inlay in the faceplate and fingerboard we inlay Pikake (Jasmine) flowers and vines. Available in a concert size (PKC-500), tenor size (PKT-500), and baritone size (PKB-500).

Q - Are Pono Guitars and ‘Ukuleles made by the Ko’olau Guitar and ‘Ukulele Company?

A - We manage and oversee all Pono manufacturing. All designs and styles are patterned after our Ko'olau instruments, and manufacturing techniques are supervised on a regular basis by our staff in Hawaii. To reduce costs and provide a more affordable guitar and 'ukulele, we manufacturer our Pono line of instruments on the island of Java, southwest of Hawaii, and a few hundred miles northwest of Australia. We are personally involved in each phase of production, spending considerable time personally overseeing operations. Skilled craftsman at our Java factory have been building guitars and 'ukuleles for many years. Pono instruments are not simply a cheap “import” but instead, made with the same pride and integity as our Ko'olau models. The second phase of manufacturing involves extensive final set-up and quality control in our Wahiawa factory on Oahu.

Q – I thought “Java” was coffee?

A – Many people have come to associate the word “Java” with coffee. There is actually an island named Java, in the island chain south of Hawaii, called Indonesia. Coffee has been nicknamed “Java” due to the high quality beans we import from these islands.
It’s interesting to note however that very high quality woodworking has been an ancient art on Java long before Europeans planted the first coffee trees.

Q - Do you make “Pono” guitars?

A - Yes, we have produced a variety of Pono guitars, some nylon string, some steel string.Current manufacturing will be limited to only a few select steel string models. Two are made of Koa, and two are Mango. Sizes will be a “OO” parlor (approximately 13 13/16" width) and “0M” (15” width).

In addition, we produce a Thinline Semi-Hollow cutaway body electric model. PG'IOM has a Mango top, and PG'IOB has a spruce top and finished in black.

And by the end of 2008 we will have two more acoustic models, one Mahogany with a cedar top, and one Rosewood with a Spruce top.

Q – What amplification do you offer for guitars and ukuleles?

A - All Pono ‘ukuleles are available with our “Pono” brand undersaddle transducer passive pickup. Passive pickups have no internal pre-amp or battery. This decision was not only to keep costs down, but our passive system is actually the finest quality “stand alone“ pickup we have tested, stand alone meaning without a preamp. In certain settings, at high level professional amplification, an external outboard preamp may be used in combination with a passive pickup, creating an improved tone and volume. An Pono brand Outboard Preamp is available.

Pono Thinline electric guitars have our Pono pickup with active electronics.

Q - Do Pono instruments have a warranty?

A - Yes, warranty is extended to the original retail purchaser, from defects in materials and/or workmanship, at the time of purchase. Upon initial receipt of your new instrument, if you are not satisfied you may return it within five days, in original condition, for a full refund, no questions asked. Afterward, our limited warranty is valid for five years from the date of purchase. A “limited” warranty is designed to cover manufacturer defects. Warranty does not include: strings, finishes, fret wear, or machine head tuners. Pickups and all electronic components have a one year warranty. Proof of original purchase will be necessary for any claims. All return shipping costs will be the responsibility of owner.

Q – Are cases included in the purchase of a Pono ‘ukulele?

A - Yes, all Pono instruments come with a custom made hardshell case at no extra cost. A limited supply of Gig bags are available, but no longer provided with each instrument. Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing a Pono gig bag. Gig bag cost is $16.50 each.

Q - Where are Pono Guitars and ’Ukuleles be available?

A – We have a network of domestic and foreign dealers throughout North America, Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Korea. Please see our website under “Authorized Dealers” for each listing. If you are unable to locate a dealer, please contact us and we provide the information you need.