Exclusive selection: The top 20 music shops of Mokulēia

I ordered online from NY, received 1 week later, Very nice product. The sound the smell the touch, we feel the quality. The customer service is responsive despite the time zone difference. Thank you. Continue as it is.

Great Customer Svc

Good prices, knowledgeable. Ron will help you to get what you need…

Very friendly owner i think the only staff is the owner(lol). That’s good cause you can really get the kind of instrument you want .mahalo aloha

They had what I needed! Nice little shop tucked away in Waipahu. They do ukulele repairs too

Very helpful

First time there and very helpful

Great staff, small, friendly, and a local business. This place offers a variety of instruments. Prices are competitive with the island. Hosts musical session on certain days. Locals musicians come here to get their gear!!! Plus the owner is renowned musician!

I had a custom Super Concert made 9 years ago. The action, quality of sound and overall finish was outstanding. I currently own 7 Sonny D Ukuleles. Each of the Ukulele was made to fit me. The price was affordable too. Mahalo Sonny and Duane

I wandered into his shop many years ago. Late 80’s. I was playing my little old Kamaka to lead worship at Sunday school with the kids. I told Sonny that, and he went in the back and talked to his wife. Being that they are both Christians too. They agreed to sell me an 8 string and put a pickup in it for me, and a case too. At a serious discount. It is the most beautiful sound when played alongside guitars. I love this ukulele. It my most precious instrument. Mahalo Sonny D, and Mrs. I grow happier every day I play your 8 string. Ever since that memorable day met your wife and you.

일반 샵 생각하고 갔다가 커스텀 장인급이신곳이라 깜놀! 입문자가 구매하기엔 부담이있는 곳이지만 즐겁게 여러 얘기들려주고, 제작환경 구경도 해보고 좋은경험하고 와서 헛되지 않았던 방문이었음

, I’m not sure why but the quality isn’t as good as it used to be I have several Sonny D ukulele I want to go buy a new one but I couldn’t find one that was a very good quality the price was more expensive then the ones I bought before but the quality was definitely lacking . Ended up with a kamaka…

Surprising little shop/museum before going into the villages. Take your time and talk to the staff, may learn a thing or two.

Very excellent choice for repairs, or shopping for a Ukulele, with many choices of brand names, and types of Ukulele -Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone, Kalei Gamiao helped me with a sound issue, after putting on new strings. He strummed it and found out the saddle was upside down. Once he flipped and retuned it , the sound was great.

The person working the ukulele lessons at 7:00 pm on Friday night was amazing and deserves a raise. He was the best at teaching and he was so nice! I’ll miss him forever ❤️

Learn to play the ukulele and even purchase one. The staff were very friendly and helped us when we had a question. Will make sure to return again soon and I will get back there soon

Nice people. Sold me a package that didn’t have everything they promised and one of the pegs on the new Ike is loose. Can’t get ahold of them and now I’ve left town. So they earned a bad review

I’ve been in this store twice so far and both times have been great. First time, I sat to play around with the keyboard/piano a little bit for fun, they don’t have weighted keys so it’s not in my range I’m looking for but the lady who came to show me the keyboard was so nice and supportive. I came in later to look at the very cool guitar they had and played around with it/inspected it. I was helped by the other shop owner and he spent time to show me the different models and improvements they’ve got, I became very interested in their products from there. At this point, I’ve done a little bit of research through a good number of other products on their YouTube and Website and I’ve gotta say, they have a lot of decent quality products for really fair prices. I bet that’s why people have such positive reviews of them. I hope I’ll be seeing more of them as time goes on, they’re very good from what I can tell so far!

Friendly people, Great prices.

This is one of the greatest experiences I have had the honor of having with
Kalena School of Music Pearlridge.
You will receive the best care in the music store. Also, Karen is a wonderful and skilled music teacher no just instructor. She really know how to get the best out of the children and the adults. Thank you for my journey
in learning to play “Ukulele”.
Lori Melton

Would never recommend this place to anyone. The guy that works there made me feel so offended.

Bought the ” toy” violin for Christmas which was advertised as high quality. Cost me $40. It was awful. Couldnt play a single note on it. The bow is complete garbage and the resin was as hard as a rock so it couldn’t be used with the plastic bow strings provided.

Be careful. They have a fickle return policy and they replaced my strings with the wrong ones. I didn’t know my uke could sound bad until it left Kalena. My fiance took it there as a gift to be restrung and you were also rude to her and said that 14 days means less than 2 weeks. You being a musician shop is suspicious. I don’t think you should replace strings if you don’t know how to do it

True to their name they are good guys. As a novice they were very friendly and helpful immediately identifying my needs. They answered every question I had with understanding and joy. From what I could tell they knew their stuff, adapting to any level of guitar or ukulele player. Would recommend!

Friendly and Pro staff

Best music equipment store in the island. Wide variety of products and very knowledgeable staff.

I liked the shop.

Not the biggest but was equipped with good guitars

Parking can be a challenge. Decent selection of used gear.

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.

掘り出しもの探しはおすすめ。
いろんな値段のいろんな商品がありますよ。
ただ、値段が見えない、、、天井に並び、ネックの付け根にシールが貼ってあるだけなので、いちいち下ろさなくてはならない。
アコギは、タカミネあたりが多く 、中は変わり種がおおい。
駐車場は隣のピザ屋の前に数台止めれる。
遅くまで空いているので後回しがおすすめ。
アコギはあまりいいラインナップではないが、安価で掘り出しはあり得る。
USにこだわらないならだけど、、、

So… First of all – I’m a very annoying and picky customer.
I have had an experience with a guitar center. Not a pleasant one. I won’t go deep to the details, but a phone customer service there sucks.
Yet. I came to this particular branch and my issues were solved there with extreme care. Amazingly professional team with a great leadership. Managers Tim and Frank were greatly helpful. They really did give their time to listen what I have to say, they solved the issue and they also helped to get the right equipment. And what is the most important – they CARED. They really did. So I absolutely recommend to VISIT the store. Online shopping is great, but in this store sfaff- are music professionals, who can put you in the right direction and suggest on what you need. Again, thank you for the help guys, 5 star experience in this store.

Great selection, and great space to try out instruments, but it’s the people who make this place special. I’ve had above-and-beyond service from Shane, John, Oni, Chance, Naomi, and Ericka. Everyone here has insight they’re willing to share, and will take time to discuss the instruments and figure out what you need… or just to talk in case you don’t need anything that day. They don’t show off, but I’m always impressed when one of them picks up an instrument. I trust any of these people for advice. The store manager Tim is humble and kind, and a serious classic guitar aficionado. He’s doing something right with his staff, and they appear to enjoy working here. This community has motivated me to become a better musician, and I’ll be coming back for years.

Awesome company & customer service. Warren is an awesome customer service representative!!!# Ask for WARREN!!!

Don’t know never been there yet..

Guitars galore. Disturbingly small orchestra section.

Really helpful staff. They will take the time to answer your questions and help you with your shopping.

WELL? ARE YA’LL REALLY READY FO DIS? THE PLACE GUITAR CENTER SHOPPED THERE ALL MY NATURAL LIFE, AND EVEN HAD AN UNCLE DIE SHOPPING THERE AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THOUGH THE U.S.A..

FOLKS DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME UNLESS YOU GOT LOADS OF MONEY TO SHELL OUT FO MIS-ADVICE.

DO YOU WALLET A FAVOR AND GO SEE DAN’S GUITARS OR THE GOOD GUYS YOUR ACCOUNT WILL THANK YOU LATER.

SO WHATS WRONG. AT THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION THEY’RD RATHER LEARN FROM THE CUSTOMER THAN BE INFORMATIVE. THE STAFF THERE CAN READILY TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT THEY DON’T GOT, RATHER THAN BE ASSERTIVE IN HELPING THE CUSTOMER BE SELECTIVE.

BY THE WAY, FOR ALL OF YOU HEAVIER HANDED STRING GODS AT THIS LOCATION THEY’D RATHER HAVE CUSTOMER PAYING THEM FOR UNREASONABLE REPAIRS THAN PROVIDE THE CUSTOMER WITH THE EASE OF KNOWLEDGE.

SO GET READY BASS PLAYA’S GET READY TO OFFER UP AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT FOR SHIPPING SOMETHING SO MINUTE TO YOUR ISLAND IT’S ALMOST COST EFFICIENT TO QUIT PLAYING IN A BAND AND JUST WORK AT GUITAR CENTER.

YOU CAN TRUST THIS INEPT REVIEW AS THIS BASS PLAYA IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THESE ISLANDS

CIAO

Try and call them right now and see how many rings it takes! Also, if you DO happen to talk to somebody they will say “that’s not my department” and ask for your number to call you back which never happens! (Several times now) Seriously I was ready to spend thousands on an electronic drum-set and NOBODY bothered to help me or answer important questions. I went in the store twice and its as if they are all out to lunch or on a break. They Lost a $5,500 sale.

It took three people to find one who knew what I was talking about. Sad.

I deal exclusively with Music Center when purchasing musical instruments , supplies,. and repairs. Staff is friendly, knowledgable, skilled, and trustworthy….much needed factors in carrying out every-day activities.

They carry a really nice selection of Vandoren reeds. They’re the best music shop on Oahu! Thanks!

Very friendly and helpful.

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

Best place to go very helpful and knowlegeable

Too far.

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 ….

This is the most informative and interesting Ukulele factory tour that I have taken and I have seen the big three. We were led around the factory by the owner – Joe Souza. At the end of the tour, Joe sang us a song and played a 5 string ukulele for us.

Killer

Great place, dope designs, top tier stuff

Enjoyable free tour. Parking is a problem.

Are tour was fantastic and the host was over the top with knowledge about there products and playing the ukulele. My reason for four stars is choice of adorable Hawaiian built ukulele.

バス一本で行けるので安心です。カイルアに行く時に寄り道もできます。　　最高のコアを使ったウクレレでは最高レベルの品質だと思います。　運がよければ社長がガイドツアーをしてくれます。

UPDATE below original post:

This one hurts to write because the ukes are wonderful (5 stars), but the customer service leaves so much be to be desired (2 stars).

Kanile’a makes beautiful instruments. Playable works of art. But where the company falls short is in customer service.

I ordered my ukulele and they shipped it to the wrong address. It tool over an hour on the phone to figure this out and then with nothing more than an apology I had to go to the FedEx store 45 minutes away to pick it up. In the grand scheme of things this one incident isn’t that much, but it continues.

After getting my uke I was in love and I was ready to special order a custom uke. I spoke on the phone with the rep and they said they would call me back after speaking with the Master Luthier on the following Monday. I never go the call back.

Most recently, my uke has had some fret problems that should be covered under warranty. I used their online contact form and never heard back.

I called and spoke with the same CS rep that never called me back earlier and they said they would send me a label to ship the uke for service and they never did. Then when I wrote to ask about the status of label they said that my uke was being evaluated in the shop and they would get back to me. Ummm, my uke is in a box 2500 miles from their shop.

I want to love this company but can’t get over the lack of customer service. The main CS rep for Kanile’a says a lot and doesn’t seem to follow through with what they say. The ukes are great but the CS doesn’t match up and needs to be addressed.

UPDATE 21 Nov 2022:

Following this review I received a call from the head CS rep. They apologized for the errors and quickly sent the FedEx return label. I shipped it back and last Friday I got a call that the uke was repaired and covered by the warranty. Since my family was coming to Honolulu the next day I asked that the uke be sent to the Ala Moana retail location and they agreed. I was told and said it would be available for pick up on Sunday.

I went to the Ala Moana store Sunday afternoon and the uke was not there. I was disappointed but not surprised. I booked ukulele lessons while on the island and now I won’t have my uke for them.

UPDATE 21 December 2022

The fret tang “sprout” has returned and this time Kanile’a have told me that I will have to pay for the shipping both ways to get the uke repaired by them. Last time this fret tangs started protruding they covered shipping. Since this is a manufacturer’s defect I am going to follow another route to get this situation resolved.

Ordered a Roland digital piano and they shipped it same day with overnight priority! I had some questions before purchasing and someone helped me within minutes. Totally satisfied, they are authorized retailer too so I’m shocked I got a better price than guitar center

Knowledgeable salespeople for music equipment.

Staff very knowledgeable about the products they sell.

Large selection of instruments ranging from beginner to expert quality. Sometimes great prices. Very popular store can be very noisy and hard to listen to the instruments, though.

poor advise bad service

I had the pleasure of purchasing a guitar online from the wonderful team at Easy Music Center. Ordering a high quality instrument online can be uncertain and unnerving. They answered my questions readily and kindly, followed up with me promptly, and provided me with a buying experience that assured me this was a safe option for an expensive purchase, which showed up shortly thereafter at my home all the way in Florida. This is a special shop and I recommend it enthusiastically to my fellow musicians.
Derek B
Tampa, FL

Sold me a broken piece of equipment and did nothing to remedy the situation

A wanabee NAMM show/Guitar Center complete with the self important puffed up blowhard Lanyards around every neck. I kid you not. As you enter the store you are treated like a criminal, after which point you will be completely ignored, or just have nonsense spouted at you. Go to coconut grove if you are on the windward side or go to the new actual Guitar Center if you are in town.

I ordered a $300 dj controller from this place and it arrived with a broken crossfader. I had a local professional dj look at the item to confirm it wasn’t a software issue and after reached out to return the broken item. I was told that Easy Music Center would not accept a return (you have seven days to return broken items) and that I would have to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer does not have the unit in stock so basically I paid $300 for a controller that I won’t receive for 3 months. I definitely won’t be ordering anything from this place again. I’m sure they are great if you live in the island but ordering from them by mail is definitely risky. The only reason this review is not one star is because on a personal level I really liked everyone I spoke to at this place. They definitely have a good vibe, and did contact the manufacturer on my behalf to arrange a replacement for the broken unit they sold me in 3 months

The store mainly specializes in online orders but in-person they are just as helpful. We were helped by Veronica, who was very knowledgeable and personable about finding a ukulele for me (I have not previously purchased one, so I knew limited information.) Absolutely would recommend; very helpful answers and a great selection.

Most excellent customer service, with awesome selection of ukuleles.

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.

One of a kind local craftsmanship

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…

Fantastic little store with a great selection of clothes, swim wear, and other unique items!

Another nice visit..more cards*****

Great shop! Well organized with lots of nice items. Very clean with a great atmosphere. Shop owner was very friendly. Highly recommend.

Had some nice stuff. I wish I took some pictures

I walked in this store very excited. Very pleasant for a younger woman. Not recommended for children. For a “Thrift store” it was way to pricy. The atmosphere is nice and cozy. It’s definitely a one time visit place. Over all its pretty decent but needs work,Enjoy

Nice setting and cute thrift shop. Music was too loud but never mind. Bought two kinds of baking tools but failed to realize that th here is a crack on one of the ramekin cups. Darn…

Kinda dark in there and they don’t seem very friendly. No hello. Nothing. The lady just kept looking at us but didn’t bother to say anything. Even when we said hello to her. Sad.