This store pretty much has everything from DJ gear to traditional instruments & accessories. I love that someone helped me right away AND knew their products, helping to make informed decisions.
Very helpful in selecting a headset that I needed. There employees are very friendly and can assist with your needs. They carry head sets amps. And much, much more items. They can help with your musical needs.
The staff was Friendly and efficient on the multiple phone calls I made to reserve a trumpet for my daughter. I’m so grateful that we still have a local business to turn to for musical needs!!! ✨
Man was I happy to find this place. Its like Guitar Center with a family owned showroom atmosphere. Very personable staff. Always happy to see you walk in. Wont get annoyed with your questions. They really try and help you find what you want when you are indecisive. They have everything you need, their floor is laid out nice and convenient. Ive never had a bad interaction with anyone that works there. I’ve been to both locations here on oahu.
Fairly well stocked music store, with very poor parking facilities for its central location on a very busy main thoroughfare–I have driven into the parking lot several times but never found an open stall there or anywhere in the neighborhood during the middle of the day. Only found an open stall one time to visit the store and bought a few guitar accessories. Fortunately, we have Coconut Grove Music here in Kailua to visit. New website needs a LOT of work compared to mainland vendors, but that’s pretty standard for businesses in Hawaii where webmasters are hired on a monthly part-time basis, it seems…
Very helpful staff!
Very disappointed.
Went there today to purchase a component that only they carried. (I would have to order it online otherwise or go to Guitar Center who doesnt have it.) I walked in and waited almost 20 minutes for someone to help me. Other people walked in and were helped as soon as they walked in. Normally when you walk into a store or business, especially if they’re slow, someone would usually come up to you to see if you need anything. No one did. Only the guy who checks in bags asked if I needed help to which I said yes and was told he’d find someone to help me. No one came.
I’ve been a loyal customer of Easy Music for over years now and this is the first time I’ve ever been let down like this. They usually never let people wait, especially if I’m by the cashier (who was busy with a customer) waiting. I would go to Easy Music before Going to Guitar Center. Well thats about to change. You just lost a very loyal customer who believes in supporting local but who also believes customer service is key in maintaining loyalty and ensuring returning and happy customers. Aloha Easy Music Center
Glad guitar center is opening up soon. Sales guys are somewhat helpful and one in particular is very helpful all the time and go out the way to do what he can. Although I returned an item a week after purchase because it didn’t fit my rig at all (after buying 3 different types of sub poles from them) only to find out the latest sub pole couldn’t be returned due to a faulty manufacturing part. I even told him that I had nothing to do with it and I come here all the time. His response was “how can I even sell that?”
Bought a seinnheiser wireless mic system from them with a already open box but was told it’s brand new. The transmitter battery doesn’t even last 20 minutes and dies. Was told I cannot return it because box was already opened. Monkey business. Stay away. I’m glad guitar center is coming to Hawaii.
4. Music Center of Hawaii Inc
Address: 2347 S Beretania St. #200, Honolulu, HI 96826 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
They carry a really nice selection of Vandoren reeds. They’re the best music shop on Oahu! Thanks!
Awesome place with good staff. Great spot for lessons, replacement parts, and asking questions.
Excellent shop knowledgeable staff
Very helpful service.
Helpful staff. Great location for woodwind accessories, reeds and such. Also provides a wide range of classical stringed instruments
The shop is great. But the entrance is the only funny thing about the shop. Idk how you would get upstairs with a string bass upstairs with any ease. The shop is quite tight as well.
They don’t buy used instrument
I didnt know you can’t be laughed at cause you didn’t have enough cash on you … How low class can you be ….
5. Goodguys Music & Sound LLC
Address: 619 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
Excellent service, great selection of guitar. A delightful visit it was.
Owner was really nice and helped me pick out a good priced guitar. He always showed me the difference between bass and electric when I told him i was a newbie.
Like the name, these are really good guys, love their biz and it shows.
A lot of options available
I liked the shop.
If you plan on selling them a guitar understand they will only give you 50% of used retail price. Which means they will make 25% profit off you. While you lose 50% profit. Sell your own gear. 50% lose is too much
Won’t shop in a place requiring a mask. even though I have bought stuff in there back during the time that covid was new and there were no mask mandates. Sad truth is I try to shop small local stores especially for music equipment but I will not be available to shop here anymor.
Bought a pedal there while holidaying in Hawaii, it occurred to me the next day I should buy a good ol’ American pedal, instead of a Chinese pedal, ecspecially while in the states. The staff didnt feel the same, and seemed that it was a big deal to make an exchange. I wouldn’t go back.
6. Kamaka Hawai‘i, Inc.
Address: 550 South St, Honolulu, HI 96813 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
Thank you Mr. Frederick Kamaka for a special morning. My 1968 soprano Kamaka uke means more to now. My wife and I really enjoyed our visit.
A wonderful tour given by Fred Kamaka!
On our latest visit to Honolulu we decided to visit Kamaka Hawaii, and see where these legendary instruments are made. The factory tour was great, and definitely worth the time. Fred Kamaka Jr. gave us a wonderful tour, and obviously takes pride in the family business, with an amazing 104 year history. My wife already has three ukuleles, but the next will definitely be a Kamaka. Thanks Fred!
Un lugar con ukeleles preciosos tanto en diseño como en sonoridada pero muy caros y con una lista de espera muy larga
I brought my ukulele for repairs and it will possibly be months to get it back due to a repair backlog so I can’t comment on that. While there, we were offered a tour. Mr. Fred Kamaka, at 93, presented a lively history of ukulele and the Kamaka brand (in it’s 102nd year!). His son followed with a tour of the factory while explaining techniques and showing us samples of each part of the instrument. Not only was the 1 1/2 hour tour well done, but it was free! I highly recommend a visit!
Polite and friendly family business. Wouldn’t buy a ukulele anywhere else.
7. Moon Surfer Productions
Address: Hauula, HI 96762 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
I’m a local Ukulele maker and enthusiast .For all my name brands ukuleles , strings , cases and tuners I go to Best Hawaiian ukuleles . This is “hands down”the best place to buy ukuleles and gear in Hawaii .
They have a very large selection Of ukuleles in one place . Their prices are lower than anywhere else and they always provide friendly service .Best Hawaiian Ukuleles is a family own and run business and they really know about their products.
If you have any questions about any of their products they can always answer it . They know how to help school you but at the same time make you feel welcome.
I shop there for all my ukulele needs and when asked about ukuleles I send all my friends and family there. I recommend Best Hawaiian ukulele.
The owner is very friendly and helpful with our questions, i recommend purchasing your ukulele here.
The store owner was very helpful in helping us pick out the right beginning concert ukulele for me and even played some songs on each one he showed us so I could hear the difference, he was very knowledgeable!
9. Guitar Center
Address: 1000 Kamehameha Hwy Suite 200, Pearl City, HI 96782 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
Awesome company & customer service. Warren is an awesome customer service representative!!!# Ask for WARREN!!!
Excellent Customer Service
Every time me and the family goes to this store, each worker that either assists us directly or just passes by including the GM, sincerely cares about why where in their store.
Again, keep up the great work and service
Great selection of gear… guitars, amps, pedals… needs practice rooms to try out guitars and amps (and pedals)
Nice, very nice!
Seems to have recently been restocked. Great looking store with plenty of gear.
Very poor service also prices on the equipment is very expensive , tuners and cappo is through the roof..
I like this ok
I waited for almost an hour to check out.
10. Koʻolau Guitar & ʻUkulele Co
Address: 401 N Cane St a10, Wahiawa, HI 96786 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
This location is primarily a factory for ukuleles, but they also have a showroom where you can get Pono ukes for half off. Danny helped me select a gorgeous one that sounds amazing, I highly recommend this place.
Not exactly a store but they do make custom ukuleles and guitars. I went there to get a single bridge pin and they gave me one for free refusing payment. Nice and friendly people!
Pono …..les guitares…… Génial …….
Serge de CAEN
11. Ukulele Store
Address: 226 Lewers St #218, Honolulu, HI 96815 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
Make sure to visit this shop if you are interested in purchasing a ukulele!!! The owner, Tyler, is extremely helpful and knowledgeable, he helped me try quite a few ukes and was easily able to point me in the right direction. He even let me play his personal instruments for comparison! There is a great selection of beautiful locally-made instruments and I ended up purchasing two fantastic ukuleles during my visit. The shop is on the second level of the shopping center, do not pass it by!!!
Super personable staff! The Ukulele I wanted was just a touch out of my price range, but they made a lot of good suggestions and recommended going to the KoAloha store to look for what I wanted.
Yep
Friendly staff
하와이 우쿠렐레 자체가 소리가다름
메이드인치나는어딜가나ㅠㅠ
Very friendly. Got starter kit. Have free lesson
The owner has a great “hook” to get you into this store. I walked in at 2:45pm on Thursday, April 12, 2018. I was the only customer the entire 1/2 hour I was in there…saw no clerk until I got to the back where he was sitting in a corner, bored silly it appeared…no hello, no welcome, no aloha…he just looked at me. I asked about the free Uke lessons, he nodded “yes”. I asked if he had one this afternoon, he nodded “no”. I asked about the instruction books mentioned on the website, he indicated that he didn’t think there were any on the shelf…same for the CD’s supposedly made by the owner. Nor did he get up to look! I browsed thru the Uke books and chose 3, with absolutely no help from the clerk. When checking out, I asked if I needed to make an appointment for the 10:30am lesson tomorrow. He said, “No, just come on in for the 10:30am or the 4:30pm lesson. But it’s not really much…just a 10 minute thing where I show you how to hold the Uke and how to strum. That’s it. You can learn that from these books you’ve chosen.” So I asked again, “So you have one this afternoon at 4:30?” He said, “Yes.” I just walked out amazed. If you’re a beginner at the Uke, my advice…don’t even think about this store!!
Once you want to understand what “Ahola” mean, this place is exact opposite.
Horrible customer service, overpriced items (a lot!). Definitely with proper employees and owner, this place could be “the” spot to learn a lot about ukulele, and also to purchase one. Unfortunately this place is something, what destroy whole aloha spirit and convince you, to forget about ukulele idea in general. HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE. Skip this place once you could. Even if you are prepared to spend 5k, they don’t care. In fact, this place should be closed, or owner should be tested for mental health. Please read another reviews, you’ll understand what im talking about…
Wow! Beautiful store and worst customer service of all time, probably of my life! So much so I had to write my first negative neview ever! I’m a pianist and shopped for some of the nicest pianos and never receive condescending attitude from any piano or music store for that matter! If this store is trying to embody the ukelele spirit then you would thing its an intrusment reserved for rich snob collector or virtuoso (no in between). The clerk was so rude, not just to us but everyone it’s actually astonishing he has a job! I bought the ukalele because I didn’t have time to look for another store but if you do have time please LOOK for another store…with people that are cool and respect your passion, interest, etc.. for this beautiful instrument!
12. Dan’s Guitars
Address: 2000 S Beretania St. # B, Honolulu, HI 96826 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
Great personal service. Got to support local businesses.
Great place!!!
Great customer service sincere and friendly.
Nice people, small place, good selection.
Small and cramped shop, but friendly and helpful staff. They sell used gear on consignment here. I kind of wish that they would just buy it outright. After having Dan’s hold onto my used guitar for several months without it selling, I had to pick it back up from them and take it to Guitar Center to sell instead.
Friendly staff and variety of new and used goodies!
I walked in and asked for a bass tuner. I’m not the most experienced musician. He told me that it doesn’t matter if it’s a bass tuner or a general tuner. Turns out, it very much does matter, and I am now out $20. They will get you in and out quick, but make sure you know your stuff before you walk in or they will take advantage.
Went in here to get a new guitar so I could start leaning how to play. I decided on a preowned guitar. It was labeled and sold to me as a Fender Stratocaster. After my friend checked it out when they were visiting they discovered that it was actually a squire and worth a fraction of what I paid at the store. I brought it in to talk to a worker about it. I came in asking for it to be verified and if it is found to be a squire scam then I was going to ask for a refund. I explained my dilemma to the worker and was met with what seemed to be a smug attitude. He insisted that it was a genuine strat but said that he would have Dan, the store owner, give it a look. He also explained to me that this was part of a consignment sale which I was not notified at all in store. I came back after Dan had time to give it a look and he agreed with me that it was in fact a squire and whichever employee received it had failed to verify its quality. That employee was the one that sold it to me and the one I had spoken to prior. Dan had then offered to sell it as consignment for me, but that I wouldn’t be able to get near what I paid since it’s not worth that much, or he could give me store credit towards a replacement. I asked for a refund since this was a case of misadvertisement and nearly fraud. He denied this as it was a consignment sale, which I’ll reiterate that I wasn’t notified of that at time of sale. Contrary to his employee, Dan was understanding and I would say he is the only reason to go to the store. He’s obviously passionate about music and spreading that joy to others. I was looking for a fender Stratocaster since I was new and I knew little to nothing about guitars. He showed me a guitar that was at the value of the store credit. He said it was a Japan made Fender Stratocaster. I was grateful and given new breath to learn the instrument. After further inspection it turns out to be an ESP Grassroots. Once again, worth far less than what it was at the store. Now I am out a lot of money and no longer have an interest in learning music. I would prefer to have my money back bur considering how I was treated it seems like scams go over better than legitimacy in the overall of this shop. I hope it gets better.
Had two patch cables made for 40 bucks while I was here/on the road playing. I’m not sure what was wrong with them but when used on my board my volume was cut in half and none of drive pedals worked properly. I’ve been playing professionally full time for two years and part time for 12. This was discovered that night at the gig in front of 500 people. I called and no answer. Left a message no call back. Messaged on facebook no message back. Emailed no email back. Avoid.
13. ʻUkulele Friend
Address: By Appointment Only, 3555 Harding Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
Saw my dream Cornerstone ukulele on their website and couldn’t wait to see it in person. The owner (Shawn) went out of his way to meet me over the weekend and gave me all the time necessary to evaluate the instrument. I felt very welcome and flew back home with my dream ukulele the next day. While I had my mind set on this particular ukulele this place has many custom and one of a kind instruments from the best luthiers in the world. An amazing experience to see and enjoy these instruments first hand.
Saw this place in the Hawaiian Airlines in-flight magazine, Hana Hou Magazine and had to check it out. The showroom is amazing! Very classy feel with some of the best full custom ukuleles in the world and from builders that I never even knew existed. Professional and friendly service and if you’re in to vintage ukes, this place is better than most museums…
14. Tom’s Piano Studio
Address: 46-359 Haiku Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
This is an organized shop with a collection of many hard-to-find books, CDs, DVDs, comics and more. The prices are not the lowest, but when you want to take it home to complete your personal collection now, it seems completely reasonable.
I love this place. It has a little bit of everything. Books,comics, CDs,tapes and vinyl (new and old) It’s like a treasure hunt every time we go and when we find treasure it’s awesome. The staff is really friendly and helpful. They know their stuff. I have found everything from Spanish records to Queen and all kinds of rock, country and rap. We really enjoy this shop.
Went to sell some old cds. But this is the place for comic books, action figures, vinyl or just books. Check it out.
A good, old-fashioned music and book store
This place has vinyl records and CD”s from years past. great variety of music items and music. They buy records and CD’s . A good place.
I was amazed of the oldies cd/cassette availability.
You can only sell books here 11-3 Mondays and Thursdays. Impossible if you work.
Sadly this is not the place I once remember. As a used audio place its there, but I remember when it used to be Jelly’s, where the music selection was limitless. I miss sitting through the vinyl records in the electronic section which is almost non-existent now. Sad
Rude ! Way over priced
16. Masaki School of Music
Address: 1347 Kapiolani Blvd Suite #201, Honolulu, HI 96814 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
This is a great music school to enroll children to learn the various music instruments. I am so glad I enrolled my son to learn piano. He now is able to read the music notes and play simple pieces. Great school and very talented teachers.
Awesome school, holds my two daughters at a higher standard. I’m very satisfied of their teaching style. Thanks to Ms. Rosy Wong.
The instructors are the best in Hawaii. They have an early childhood music program that my nephew took and he learned so much from that. Highly recommended!
Excellent music lessons for children. Flexible hours.
Beware that if the teacher(s) cut the lesson short, the school doesn’t care to address the problem since tuition is prepaid in advance and for certain teachers it is one month in advance. I had complained in writing with no response. You will be trapped with their student withdrawal policy that would trap you for another month if the teacher doesn’t work. COVID policy has not changed bc it’s teacher dependent. They don’t follow the latest general CDC guidelines. This became an issue for my special needs child who refused to mask for the teacher as it’s required for this teacher. So my child got stuck with online lessons. I paid over $10K in tuition to this school and 3 years were done online. He struggled to learn online and did not learn more than 8 songs or so. So that’s over a thousand a song and as a single parent I became deeply bothered. To be in person for the teacher he’s familiar with, my child would have to mask up in person and follow stringent COVID protocol like it was in 2019. My child acted out online and lessons would be cut short with the promise of future make-ups with no definite dates scheduled due to the teacher’s scheduling. There were a few paid lessons that were cut short and now lost forever after I took my child off Masaki. Requesting refund for the tuition prepaid in advance was not easy. Yet to receive any after more than one month. Still waiting and ignored emails. Masaki would only respond to compliments but when there are any problems you are not a concern because they had the money. My child is currently taking lessons from a new teacher. Doing better in person. Learning 2 new songs in one month and tuition is paid after each lesson. No shortened lesson with the new teacher who is extremely patient in person and would give my child 15 to 20 minutes and would only ask for payment for 30 minutes. Buyer beware of the school policy with COVID protocol and prepaid tuition. If you prepay, you’re at risk of limited or zero recourse because full service delivery is not certainty with Masaki.
17. Guitar Honolulu
Address: 46-022 Alaloa St # J1, Kaneohe, HI 96744 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
Great music instructor. A very friendly, kind, and effective teacher.
Great instructor. Reasonable prices for beginners so a person or your child can see if they are interested in playing the guitar. I can’t say enough about this guy offering guitar lessons, who he is as a person.
18. Hungry Ear Records
Address: 675 Auahi St suite e3-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 , Ka‘a‘awa , Hawaii , United States
Love the selection and how organized the store is. I am unable to make it in a lot so the social media posts are very helpful.
Friendly staff, I found really good gems. Highly recommend.
Awsome experience bought the Kanye west graduation album from here for an absolute steal. A worker named Jessie helped me out and the guy was the bomb. If u ever down town it’s for sure a must visit.
Great store one of only two stores on island that sell classic vinyl records.
