Ukulele Friend

An honor to be featured on Hawaii Public Radio today.

This ʻukulele collector wants to preserve the iconic instruments' sounds A local ʻukulele collector is working to preserve the tiny instruments' sounds in partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Archives. As HPR's Cassie Ordonio reports, these four-stringed instruments date back to the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. So far, he has about 50 ʻukulele over 100 years old.

The Honoka’upu Collection - curated by Shawn Yacavone.

Rare Historical Rajao from left to right. Circa 1870s Maderian Rajao - made in Madeira, Circa 1890 Jose do Espírito Santo Rajao - made in Hawaii; Circa 1895 Manuel Nunes Rajao - made in Hawaii; Circa 1895 Jose do Espírito Santo Rajao - made in Hawaii; Circa 1900s Maker Unknown Rajao - made in Hawaii. The rajao is regarded as one of two parent instruments - the other being the Maderian Machete also known as the father instrument to the ukulele.

The Maderian Rajao is the mother instrument to the ukulele by which the modern day ukulele receives its re-entrant tuning of GCEA. The rajao is tuned D-GCEA.

Grateful to the team at HILuxury Magazine for the wonderful article!

Good fun with Pa’ahana!

Vintage Ukulele "Hi'ilawe" with "1879 First Ukulele" Jose do Espirito Santo | Pa'ahana About Ukulele Friend...Ukulele Friend is the best ukulele store in Hawaii offering a range of the finest vintage ukuleles and custom ukuleles for purchase. (...