The KoAloha features solid koa wood construction and particular attention to ergonomic design for playing comfort. Expect to hear a strong voice with ample cutting power from these pro ukuleles. Members of the Okami family manufacture them with pride in the Kalihi district of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu.
Roy Sakuma, the 50th State’s foremost ukulele instructor, commissions and consulted extensively in the development of these fine made-in-Hawaii instruments. His record label, Roy Sakuma Productions, showcases premier uke artists such as Troy Fernandez of Ka’u Crater Boys and Palolo, Ohta-San and Lyle Ritz. Roy relates that legendary jazz guitarist, Charlie Byrd raves about his personal KoAloha ukulele.
Roy Sakuma wanted to combine the best elements of the various full-size ukuleles he’d played over the years while at the same time going beyond the instrument’s familiar sound.
Among the elements Sakuma and Okami have designed into the KoAloha are clarity of tone and acoustic volume, ease of playing and quality of appearance and detail. “It’s very clean when you hit the strings,” explains Sakuma. “There’s a very balanced sound, so you don’t hear one string dominating everything else.”
The KoAloha Ukulele is hand-crafted of native Hawaiian koa wood. Okami’s tremendous technical skills together with Sakuma’s 35 years of experience with the ukulele inspire their quest for excellence.
