Exclusive selection: The top 7 music shops of Kīlauea

I have always wanted to get a ukulele lesson and a ukulele in Hawaii. Such a beautiful place to achieve this bucket list wish. Gorgeous ukes and wonderful owners!! Sam was talented, patient and fun! Mahalo Sam!

This store is so awesome. Staff is very cool and knowledgable. Definately worth a stop if you like the ukulele. I had a blast and learned so much. Check it out…

I bought a Kamoa ukulele in San Diego and loved it so much that I had to visit the source! (And bought another ukulele as a souvenir!) Mucho mahalo to Kamoa for awesome service and awesome instruments. I’ll be back for sure!

Was excited to stop by and had purchased a ukulele for the 1st time at Kamaka in Honolulu 2 yrs prior. I let the owner know I was an amateur, and as I played, he assumed I’d learned my strumming pattern on YouTube…but I listen to the music I like and interpret as an artist. He told me about the free lessons he offers. I said, “Let me try playing this song and you can tell me what to improve.” He says, “I don’t need to hear it; I can tell you right now.” I was enjoying playing and felt a bit disappointed. But I listened as he told me I was playing much too harshly, audiences do not like that, compared it to fingernails on a chalkboard, and told me as my audience it was basically terrible for him to listen to. I replied that he is like 2 feet away. I also agreed I could try softening my strumming, but his ex.of very soft, slow strumming did not fit the style of the song I was going for. I explained that, and he then told me that his dad had to leave the room b/c of my harsh playing. I said, “If he needs to leave that is his opinion and doesn’t offend me”(although it did make me feel bad!) I teach piano students and can’t imagine saying my husband had to leave the room b/c of the way they were playing the piano!! I guess there’s a reason the lessons are free! He could’ve said something positive and nicely asked, “What if you tried softening your strumming a bit?” I would’ve felt and responded totally differently. I was happy to take feedback but was there also for the enjoyment of trying out the instruments. This quickly dissipated through the interaction. He needs to work on his approach with a potential customer! I would never want to take lessons here, let alone purchase an instrument. Side note:, instead of starting out by explaining all the info about the instruments and knowledge, maybe could try asking what I’m looking for in an instrument. I highly recommend Kamaka Hawai’i, Inc. in Honolulu, because they treated me very kindly and respectfully.
*Response: His answer is unnecessarily scathing and of course refuses to take any responsibility or acknowledge my honest experience.
A. Don’t talk about my daughter; barely worth replying to; she was not crying because she wanted to try a ukulele. Has cried on and off during our trip when tired, and we both try to console her. Sad he’s even trying to bring up parenting to throw in our faces! Wow…no we were not looking for ukulele lessons for her but thanks for the offer. I told her about egg rolls…
B. There was 1 lady worker in the room who was quiet, and she was actually grooving a little after he walked out for a bit ;), & maybe 1-2 other people milling around, so I’d hardly say I was “entertaining” the store. As any musician can understand, we enjoy going in to a music store and trying out instruments for learning and enjoyment..
C. He has no understanding or care about the frustration that I’m expressing here. I feel like he’s not used to sharing knowledge then listening to a slightly different response. He drives his point home at the expense of a person’s feelings. He wants to paint me as an obnoxious person who was there to brag on my talents and annoy everyone, though I berated my skills sev. times, then he says all these ppl walked out who weren’t even there. Keep in mind this was a short episode: I was talking with him, trying to figure out some chords, playing a couple short songs in a virtually empty store, until my terrible playing completely emptied it?
D. This was not an official “lesson” to my knowledge. I was there to try out instruments and be free to do so /ask for input
E. I took his advice by playing a song again more quietly, to which he said it was much better, so again his story is not adding up. Also, at that point, I was the one who showed myself to the door!
F. I was told this is common behavior for store owners/employees on the island, but we did have some nice experiences! I’m sure others have enjoyed this store, but I did not, and feel it is worthwhile to share my experience, even if it means I’m berated vs. validated once again in return.

Friendliest and best service, they had everything I needed and fixed my flute very quickly and for a very reasonable price! I wish I could rate higher than five stars

Outstanding customer service
Thank you Gavin for helping me get my son’s band stuff for school. I highly recommend this store for any parents that need to get band supplies for kids school!

These guys fixed my instrument when it was damaged on my flight. Then they said I overpaid and here is your $50 back. Amazing !

Best place to go very helpful and knowlegeable

A great shop. Much to look at , temptation everywhere for a musician

Friendly staff that looks for your intetest.

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 ….

Such a great little shop in a little strip mall. The owner was so friendly and made a great recommendation for my husband’s new ukulele. Definitely recommend this place!

Very helpful and knowledgeable owner. Works with you if you have questions about products. Sells you what you need and gives you honest feedback if you don’t necessarily need to purchase a piece of gear for what you are trying to accomplish. Will shop here in the future for music gear.

Brandon who works there and the owner are very friendly and help! Awesome place for sure!

First time there and very helpful

Dropped off a friend to purchase a guitar

Hard to find but there are some treasures in here whether you are a beginner looking for something affordable or a collector looking for that rare vintage item. Owner is a super nice guy.

Great people

My guitar had a short in the jack wiring. 10 minutes after bringing it in, they had soldered it back to working order. Charged me next to nothing. My new favorite guitar shop on Oahu.

Very helpful. Interesting selection of instruments and amplifiers.

Like the name, these are really good guys, love their biz and it shows.

I liked the shop.

Not the biggest but was equipped with good guitars

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.

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

Very unhelpful. Asked what ibwas looking for, didnt even look at me. I was looking for hand percussion, drums. Was told he only had egg shakers. There was a drum in the window, and two in front of me. I just figured maybe they weren’t for sell.

Picked up my first Guitar, Beautiful variety to choose from for a Great price! Thank you

Wow! Amazing customer service! Crazy good selection of guitars. My sons rented a guitar for our stay in Hilo. Thanks for taking such great care of them!

These guys fixed my cheapo classical guitar when I thought it was beyond hope. They got good ukuleles too. Check ’em out!

Spencer is a very personable individual who is very knowledgeable. The store itself is quaint and stock can be limited but it has pretty much everything that’s needed in general.

Drove an hour , website said open, answering service said open, closed during advertised business hours.

Cool place. Lots of instruments as expected. My daughter bought a ukulele here before we headed home.

Wasn’t sure what kind of ukulele I wanted at first. I went to some other stores on the island and BY FAR had the best experience here. Everyone was super nice and reasonable to my price range. And they had there prices on there item (may sound weird but some stores don’t which is kinda sketchy) the brought the price down on more expensive ukes to give me a larger selection for my wallet to choose from. Everyone there knew what they were talking about and could actually PLAY a uke where some stores that is not the case. In super glad I checked out other stores cuz I found this place and my uke at a REALLY good price!

Wow! Great place to get a ukelele! Mike went above and beyond to make sure we picked the right one. He went out of his way to explain the difference between all of the different woods, sizes, etc. He even gave us a quick one-on-one lesson!