HMI, Author at Hamakua Musical Instruments

The Inouye Model 1 (SOLD)

This was a great build with beautiful woods and went to a very capable player! See them on their YouTube posts as “ElementalFunk”, where they play some great stuff from the 70’s and 80’s. Together with a childhood friend of mine, Brian Yamamoto, they play some of those Hawaiian radio favorites too! I’m always excited to build for “players”, although it can be hard to rise up to their expectations sometimes, but Wade was great to work with and helped by giving me some “lee way“ in the build. He chose some woods from my exotic wood stash and good input on the specs. The look is amazing but, more importantly, the sound is awesome! Thanks for the opportunity to build your dream Ukulele! TYPE OF INSTRUMENT UKULELE Instrument # 56-SC Name: The Inouye Model 1 Size: Super Concert Body Type: Figure Eight Type of Build: Basic WOOD Top: Figured Redwood Sides: Figured Mango Back: Figured Mango Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Rosewood Bridge: Rosewood Headstock: Figured Mango Other: Binding: Rosewood

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The Avila 2 (Lalaukulele) [SOLD]

Tenor / HMI

Here is a special ukulele, built for a special person. I met this young lady at a restaurant where they were paying tribute to her brevity. I found it to be more than well deserved. She was only nine years old and yet, she was stronger than most people 3 times her age. Not that she could kick or throw a ball any farther than the next elementary student, or bench press more than a high school football star, but she impressed me as having something special – a strength inside of her. She loves to sing, loves to play instruments, loves to play with her siblings like a garage band in her studio. She’s a “sportster”, as well as the rest of her family, all active with sports and the challenges of competition. Her Father, Mr. “G”, started fishing with me in 2019 and I grew to know the family a little bit. Mrs. “G” is a vibrant woman, with faith overflowing. Seeing how her parents nurtured their kids with a love for God and Family, is quite inspiring. Some Friends came to help me by donating some beautiful woods. Thank you to The Penberthy Wood Collection, and Asher Guitars. Thank you also to Jessica Asher for the beautiful Rosette! The truth is Avila was diagnosed with a rare form of children’s cancer. I’ve watched and prayed for her on the sidelines, and can tell you she is BRAVE. As many times as I’ve seen her cry, there seem to have been more times I’ve seen her laugh, or stand up to the beast we see as cancer. She is on her way to recovery, but I know she is way bigger than I am, way stronger, way better, more faithful, more believing. She is my hero. When I grow up I hope to be just a little like her. Thanks for the opportunity to hear your joy. Play on…. TYPE OF INSTRUMENT UKULELE Instrument # 54-T Name: The Avila 2 (Lalaukulele) Size: Tenor Body Type: Figure Eight Type of Build: Basic WOOD Top: Koa Sides: Koa Back: Koa Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Koa Bridge: Koa Headstock: Koa Other: Headstock Ribbon: Crushed Orange OpalsLaser engraved Rosette: Jessica Asher: Asher Guitars

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The Barnes Model 1 (SOLD)

Super, Concert / HMI

Mr. Barnes was looking for a special ukulele – a simple build with astounding wood selections for the top back and sides, matching headplates and vintage finish. He chose Figured Koa from my back stock of woods. The tonal quality of the wood was amazing even before I re-sawed it to thickness. As the parts hit the sander the beauty became more and more evident! Then the finish was applied and the surface of the wood exploded with color and contrasts that even I did not think would be visible! I strung it up in anticipation of the first strum. There it was, that classic Koa -Hawaiian sound. So smooth and soothing. Needless to say Mr. Barnes was a happy camper too. TYPE OF INSTRUMENT UKULELE Instrument # 53-SCP Name: The Barnes Model 1 Size: Super Concert Body Type: Piña Type of Build: Basic WOOD Top: Koa Sides: Koa Back: Koa Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Koa Bridge: Koa/Rosewood Headstock: Koa Other: N/A

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The Penberthy 1

Available, Tenor / HMI

A custom order for Gary Penberthy, we built this spectacular Ukulele in conjunction with the Asher 1. Both are similar builds but with slight variations on top woods and size. The top is Sitka Spruce – I love the tonal qualities of Sitka Spruce – while the rest is almost entirely Brazilian Rosewood. All the Brazilian Rosewood is supplied through the Penberthy Collection. The Brazillian Rosewood back and sides create a fully rounded sound and awesome resonance. TYPE OF INSTRUMENT UKULELE Instrument # 41-T TB Name: The Penberthy 1 Size: Tenor Thin Body Body Type: Figure Eight Type of Build: Basic WOOD Top: Sitka Spruce Sides: Brazilian Rosewood Back: Brazilian Rosewood Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood Headstock: Brazilian Rosewood Other: Binding: Brazilian Rosewood with white PurflingRosette: Half Chevron with Black Pin line

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Figure Eight Super Concert Thin Body The Asher 1

The Asher 1 (SOLD)

Super, Concert / HMI

A custom order for Luthier Bill Asher of “Asher Guitars”. All the Brazilian Rosewood supplied through the Penberthy Collection. The top is Redwood found in a barn sited for demolition. The barn was built between 1900 and 1905 and the repurposed lumber was split up between some wood fanatics. Handed down to me from a “mad” wood collector, one of the 4” x 10” support posts proved to be tight grained and perfectly quarter sawn with vertical grain – and more material from this post is available for future builds! The Hummingbird and the Plumeria flowers are inlayed white shell – an ongoing tribute to Bill’s Mother. The Bridge ties up the Strings with Scrimshawed Ivory from an old fan found in an Auction. Altogether the sound and resonance are unreal! TYPE OF INSTRUMENT UKULELE Instrument # 40-SC TB Name: The Asher 1 Size: Super Concert Thin Body Body Type: Figure Eight Type of Build: Basic WOOD Top: Redwood Sides: Brazilian Rosewood Back: Brazilian Rosewood Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood Headstock: Brazilian Rosewood Other: Binding: Brazilian Rosewood with white PurflingRosette: Half Chevron

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Tenor Figure Eight Thin Body El Gaucho Flaco

El Gaucho Flaco (SOLD)

Tenor / HMI

The High Plains are just south of Waimea on the Big Island of Hawaii. Pastures of grass feeding cattle roam these rich lands. A warm breeze, and a cool rain descend from the clouded sky as the tall grass whispers its droning call to the Goucho Flaco. The tall, thin cowboy rides his trusty mustang, keeping an eye on the weather and the other on his uke as he strums along the fields of green. The songs on his heart are filled with the beauty of this land and the sounds of his ukulele keep a steady beat with the hoofs all around him. Feel the aloha, the heartbeat of the land and sing out your heart’s desire on the Goucho Flaco! TYPE OF INSTRUMENT UKULELE Instrument # 39-T-TB Name: El Gaucho Flaco Size: Tenor Body Type: Figure Eight – Thin Body Type of Build: Basic WOOD Top: Alaskan Yellow Cedar Sides: Madagascar Rosewood Back: Madagascar Rosewood Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Rosewood Bridge: Rosewood Headstock: Rosewood Other: Arrow design Rosette

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Mauka

Available, Concert / HMI

The Mauka simply translates to “Mountain side”. It is the antonym of Makai (Oceanside). In Hawaii it is a direction. Not so much North, South, East or West, But towards the sea, or towards the mountain. This sound of this Super Concert Ukulele has the feeling of Mauka. The forest hills and gentile rains are broken by beams of light as the rolling clouds dance across the sky. The rustle of banana leaves, and the sounds of horses on the ranch by the waterfalls create the back drop for the sounds of Hawaii. All you need to do is strum a while. This is the Mauka. Let’s go up da mountain! TYPE OF INSTRUMENT UKULELE Instrument # 38-SCP Name: Mauka Size: Concert Body Type: Piña Type of Build: Basic WOOD Top: Figured Koa Sides: Figured Koa Back: Figured Koa Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Koa Bridge: Figured Koa / Rosewood Headstock: Figured Koa Other: N/A

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Makai (SOLD)

Tenor / HMI

The Makai simply translates to “Ocean side”. It is the antonym of Makau (Mountain side). In Hawaii it is a direction. Not so much North, South, East or West, But towards the sea, or towards the mountain. This sound of this Tenor Ukulele has the feeling of Makai. Fields of coconut palms in the wind and the rhythm of the ocean lapping the shore resonate with every note. The cool trade winds and salty air, the scent and taste of the sea lends to its Koa body. And the that Hawaiian sound we are so in love with, emanate from its strings. This is the Makai. Let’s go towards the sea! TYPE OF INSTRUMENT UKULELE Instrument # 37-T Name: Makai Size: Tenor Body Type: Figure Eight Type of Build: Basic WOOD Top: Figured Koa Sides: Figured Koa Back: Figured Koa Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Koa Bridge: Figured Koa / Rosewood Headstock: Figured Koa Other: N/A

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Pilipiña

Available, Soprano / HMI

It used to be, when you drove from “Town” to “Country” there were miles and miles of Pineapples or Piña. Occasionally you would see rows of workers preparing the pineapples for picking. I remember stopping to “steal” lunch along the road as the ripe, golden piña called outmy name. I jumped out of the car but when I reached out it stung me with one of its serrated blades! I sat down sucking on my wound when She appeared out of nowhere! “You scared me half to death! Where did you come from?” I asked. She was so beautiful I forgot my hand was bleeding. She said, “I came from the pineapples…” she turned while humming a hymn. The next thing I know she had returned to me with a nice ripe pineapple. Smiling and humming along she told me to stop any time I saw her along the road, and she would have more for me. I couldn’t shake her from my memory and though I am old, I still think back on her beautiful smile, her warm aloha, and the thought that she would always have more for me! To her memory I built this Soprano Piña Ukulele. In her small stature you will find a beautiful smile while humming along, warm aloha, and she will always have more for you. Sweet memories… Mahalo! TYPE OF INSTRUMENT UKULELE Instrument # 32-SP Name: Pilipiña Size: Soprano Body Type: Piña Type of Build: Basic WOOD Top: Figured Mahogany Sides: Figured Mahogany Back: Figured Mahogany Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Rosewood Bridge: Rosewood Headstock: Koa Other: N/A

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Mele Nahenahe (SOLD)

Soprano / HMI

I can hear the song birds sing, the Koki frogs are croaking, the clucking sounds of a moa wahine and her keiki by the roadside. The ditch pours the morning rains into the bay as the waves crash along the shore. Children playing in the sand, laughing at the sand crabs as they pop in and out of their holes and the sounds of kanikapila at Auntie Lois’ porch. Voices in harmony, the elements of nature and the strumming ukulele, praising Life and Aloha and lifting up their hearts to Mele Nahenahe, a beautiful noise… Oh, Kalihiwai so beautiful, with a wave so strong and a bay of beauty. This place inspired this build as the waves evident in the birds-eye maple sides and figured koa top, back and headstock are bound by the re-purposed black walnut. So beautiful, so right, picking her up sits me on the sandy shore watching surfers and the elements explode in a beautiful dance. The sounds of Mele Nahenahe will bring it all together. Mahalo TYPE OF INSTRUMENT UKULELE Instrument # 31-S Name: Mele Nahenahe Size: Soprano Body Type: Figure Eight Type of Build: Basic WOOD Top: Koa Sides: Birds eye Maple Back: Koa Neck: Mahogany Fretboard: Rosewood Bridge: Rosewood Headstock: Koa Other: N/A

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HMI

Handcrafted Ukuleles