HOLUALOA UKULELE GALLERY

In the words of Sam Rosen, owner:
"The idea of opening a ukulele gallery came about in early January, 2003 when a tenant decided to move to the gallery space opening up in the new building behind the historic old post office in Holualoa. Since I make ukes and belong to the Ukulele Guild of Hawaii (UGH), it seemed like a great idea."

"I wanted a place where anyone could feel welcome and comfortable...to listen to ukulele music, and also to feel free to try each instrument and not feel pressured to buy. I wanted to introduce people to the uke, and give a quick lesson so that anyone could play a few chords and feel good about the instrument. It is very important to me to have quality, one-of-a-kind ukes in the gallery, and to present the instrument as an art form as well as a musical instrument."

Sam continues:
"Instead of doing what everyone else has done, I decided to specialize in only locally-made instruments. I thought there would be plenty of uke makers to get instruments from, but found everyone busy trying to fill back orders! The ukulele business has really taken off and it's almost impossible to get inventory now. But, after talking to a few friends, I was able to get a few ukes for display and to sell. I also decided to feature other things uke or music-related, like a few Hawaiian shirts, lei for hats, wall-hangings & framed pictures (including Hawaiian fabric collages by Nancy Lake), a Kona Walkingbass slack key bass made by Holualoa resident, Bob Stoffer. After making a few changes inside the front room of the building I was ready to open."

Come by on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 9:00 for a kanikapila (jam session)!

The HOLUALOA UKULELE GALLERY opened on March 4, 2003.

A Few of the Makers:

Miles Stephens -
Studied ukulele making with Andy Berard. Andy was an earlier student of Guy Sasaki's and now runs his own ukulele making school. Miles estimates that about a hundred hours of labor go into the making of each of his ukuleles.

Dennis Lake -
Has been making ukes and guitars for over 30 years and is also the authorized Martin and Gibson warranty repairs-person on the island. His work is very well respected and is becoming much sought after.

Rance Pinao -
Started making ukes at Konawaena Adult Ed. with Guy Sasaki. He continues to help at the school and also works with Andy Berard.

Ronald Baniga -
Another ukulele making student of Guy Sasaki

Ken Joesting -
A new maker from Kailua-Kona

S. Beck (Sam Rosen), Ukulele Gallery owner -
Wanted to learn how to play the uke but couldn't afford a good one! Started making ukes at Konawaena Adult Ed. with Guy Sasaki.

About Sam: "I moved to Holualoa from Los Angeles in early 1977. I'd been in the jewelry manufacturing trade since 1956, but always wanted to live on an island. It turned out to be the best decision of my life to move here. I have a small goldsmith business in the rear space of the old post office here in Holualoa. I've tried many times over the years to learn how to play any instrument but never seemed to want to put in the time to learn. I figured the uke would be my last attempt. I heard that Guy Sasaki would be teaching a class at the local high school, so I signed up and finished my first uke in his semester class. Since then, I've started a small business and opened this gallery. I'm also learning to play and demonstrate the ukes I have in the gallery."

"The response to the gallery and especially to the ukes I have on display has been better than I expected. Some people aren't sure if it's a gallery or a museum, but they really enjoy the concept. As more makers bring in their instruments, and musicians begin to take advantage of the space to get together to play."

"There are now ukulele classes offered at the gallery by Herman Kunewa:
A Beginning Uke class on Sat. mornings from 9-10:30am. The place will become more and more an asset, not only to me but to Holualoa village, which is also my home."

Whats Here:
We carry locally-made ukuleles, and also collector instruments, old music sheets from the early 1900's, framed related art, and other ukulele-related items.

It is a beautiful 15 minute drive from Kailua-Kona to the charming village of Holualoa, an artist colony in the famous "Kona Coffee belt" of the Big Island of Hawaii. I would like to invite you stop by my gallery.
A hui hou,
-Sam Rosen

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

HOLUALOA UKULELE GALLERY
P.O. Box 416
Holualoa, Hawai'i 96725

808/324-1688
koaukulele37@yahoo.com