PBS Presents | Heart Strings: The Story of the Kamaka ʻUkulele

Program: PBS Presents
Episode: Heart Strings: The Story of the Kamaka ʻUkulele
For nearly 100 years, Kamaka and Sons' ʻukuleles, produced from their tiny shop in Honolulu, have been the gold standard for 'ukuleles worldwide. This program is a story about the values of hard work, fortitude, honesty and creativity from a distinctly Hawaiian point of view.
© PBS Presents
Original: video.pbs.org/v...
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Funding:
- Corporation for Public Broadcasting - A Private corporation funded by the American people - cpb.org
- Office of Hawaiian Affairs - oha.org

[@lawrencehenry600]

Wish i could afford a Kamaka Baritone. Kamaka taste on a Kimise budget.

[@MashaT22]

Wish I could afford a Kamaka period! 😉😂

[@callmehefty]

POV:your here from music class

[@aanyajaiswal5244]

lmao yea same

[@StratAndFam]

cool

[@strangersf]

Proud to say I have a 1935 Pineapple with carving on the top and side which, I'm told, was built by Sam Sr.. Still in it's original case with its original strings.

[@vitorinaborges5497]

Nice to know that the Ukelele was brought to Hawaii from Madeira 💕💕

[@xjboogzx]

one day i will own a kamaka, ever since i was little i always wanted one.

[@elinzmeyer3550]

I am so proud, an happy to have met the Kamaka family at their ukulele factory in Hawai'i. I was inspired by their craft and as a musician, was thrilled to purchase one of their instruments. When I play my Kamaka ukulele, I am growing as a musician, and humbly carrying on a legacy of family pride and dedication to a truly Hawaiian industry, Thank you, Bruddah Kamaka!

[@danafatujr7214]

Blessd to own a Kamaka...Understood all these years how KAMAKA Ukulele was always the highest quality. Now, after all these years, to learn the richfulness of the pupil of Manuel Nunez and breaking out in his basement in 1916 and the highest quality remains through generations, just Blessed and the Spirit of Aloha....Mahalo, Faa fe tai lava, Thank You....I will definitely even moreso care for my Kamaka....

[@beverlymichael5830]

Me too. I love my tenor.

[@GoldenLivingRoom]

I would really appreciate a list of the background music used. Some of it is fantastic and I would like to listen to it and learn some as well. Thanks for your time.

[@HowieTruck]

Owning one becomes like a way of life, you just can't go back once you open your heart to this wonderful gift from Hawaii. with my research on what ukuleles are out there and experience working on mine, I can easily guide someone looking to buy their first ukulele( best match for the money willing to spend and desired quality desired). If anyone needs any kind of help choosing their first Ukulele, please feel free to contact me.

[@stevesoutham2492]

What a lovely film of a lovely family and thier unique approach to life, business and pursuit of excellence. Thank you.

[@kle2217]

Wish I could afford one of these.😢

[@HowieTruck]

bought a Stagg ukulele a month ago and I have not put it down.....! I fell in love so much I customized it and refinished it 4 different times... and since I have been working on it I have watched well over 12 hours of youtube videos on the making and construction of ukuleles... Ukuleles have a magic that I can not explain...

[@rocroc8678]

When we celebrated my son David’s 1st Bday, Geri and Sam Sr presented David with Kamaka ukelele- “etched”

[@HowieTruck]

Its the least I can do to pay it forward for the joy that this amazing instrument has brought to my life. :0)

[@jwuski]

22:07, then 22:30. Remarkable... Yet many people who have full hearing are often so incredibly deaf...

[@kaalell7]

It's true, every ukulele is like a child; every

[@aliciabrown8132]

this is amazing! i dont understand why anyone would dislike this video

[@TwanBraccoGartner]

Glad I could share! It's an amazing documentary.

[@lawrencehenry600]

thank you for an alternative view of Hawaiian culture than "Dog" or "Hawaii 5O" show us.

[@masamimitsui7087]

I LOVE Kamaka!

[@nouseforaname808]

I was born and raised on Oahu and while in high school in the early 90's, i worked at one of the only remaining full service/ car wash service stations located on Queen St near downtown called K&Y Chevron, now the site for the Honolulu Fire Dept headquarters. One of our regular customers was the legend himself, Mr. Sam Kamaka Jr. Such a warm and welcoming soul. I reminisce of the days we would chat while I filled up his car and did the usual full service fluid and tire checks, and I will admit that I would move slower than usual because I enjoyed our conversations. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing this year. A legacy and lifetime of history and craftsmanship will continue to live on forever through the Kamaka name.

[@DetroitFettyghost]

thsts awesome my friend. so sad to hear he passed. much love.

[@theomnetwork3898]

Anyone know which Kamaka model he is playing at 15:23 ? Can't tell if its a Tenor or a Concert.. or perhaps some long-neck variation. I also notice the bridge pins which I have not seen on a Kamaka

[@Wonderwomantam]

Kadence ukulele

[@MrUkuleleric]

Love my Kamaka Baritone !

[@MrNx74205d]

Sadly, I received a Kamaka around 1963 when I was in grade school in Wahiawa. Over the years, it disappeared on the mainland. Now it is dearly missed...

[@kawikadavid8958]

Go buy another one.

[@PurdyBear1]

That is true about being everywhere. I've just found out that my uncle has lots of Ukes and I didn't know until I got one myself.

[@beverlymichael5830]

I love my Kamaka tenor. And now to see this video of the family makes it even more special.

[@jonhoward1455]

Thank you for a wonderful film - very inspiring. 8-)

[@pamelarosenbaum7136]

Anyone know how I could get a kamaka concert ukulele or how I could talk to a salesperson? I’ve waited too long- I’m 75-to make my dream to learn to play a ukulele from Hawaii a reality but I’m ready to give myself permission to begin! The story of this family is inspiring

[@RancePinao]

I remembered Kamala ukulele shop was located on south street in Kakaako near shima store, and the ukulele was invented through a Spanish instrument call the Baraca(sp?)…

[@kawikadee9670]

Chris is the coolest one.

[@owenandapril9707]

Watching this while playing a Kamaka tenor ukulele. Doesn’t get better than this!

[@themaster1981]

Cooie!

[@HOP805]

I just got a uke two days ago and I am already hooked! awesome video!!!

[@AprHla]

I just joined Kamaka enthusiasts only a few days ago...I managed to find a gold label tiki concert uke in great shape. omg...the tone of this instrument is lovely..warm..beautiful. much love to all and thank you for this vid upload!

[@1viva]

Very interesting. Thank you!

[@lsamoa]

Great documentary. Such an admirable family! Their contribution to the world and to music in particular is huge. Thanks for sharing!

[@benperea8483]

Thank you so much for sharing this!!!👍👍👍👍👍🙂

[@burnellmusic]

Really enjoyed watching this.

[@billfishoc]

Thank you for posting. This is excellent!

[@MultiPetercool]

Would would love to see a Braddah IZ version: The Kamaka-Kamakawiwo’ole 😜

[@kawikadavid8958]

Braddah Iz played a Martin ukulele but Chris Kamaka did make him a 5 string that was stolen.

[@MultiPetercool]

@@kawikadavid8958 Sad to hear. I wonder if whoever stole it feels any remorse?

[@kawikadavid8958]

​@@MultiPetercool You would think the crook would be cursed but Iz is to loving for that, but to do something like that you're already have a destroyed life.

[@joaodefreitas8617]

They sure look like they got some portuguese in them

[@TwanBraccoGartner]

You said it all. Sharing is the least I could do!

[@TwanBraccoGartner]

My guess is that he 'clamps' the front and back to the sides using rope, to let the glue dry for an amount of time.

[@MykeJerichoCerenado]

Whats the name of the piece at ~ 3:18

[@ShadySidebury]

Thanks so much, and thank you for providing this excellent resource! :)

[@scottfrank8805]

sweet, thanks for the story!! Tenor is outta sight sound!! scott

[@experimentjon]

YES! Awesome upload. Never managed to catch this on TV.

[@kawikadavid8958]

The ukulele became very popular when the Ka'au Crater Boys came out with their cds in the 1990's.

[@steqacm4443]

Mahalo ...pbs and all who kokua!!! Much appreciated@

[@Sawlon]

Nice! Thank you! :o)

[@ShadySidebury]

What is he doing at around 22:00 when he appears to be tying rope around the ukulele?

[@willtube61]

That's an old style way of clamping the top to the sides or the bindings to the body.

[@wizarddelastrings]

pretty awesome man.

[@Jenny-mo9ug]

great story.

[@TwanBraccoGartner]

You're welcome!

[@TwanBraccoGartner]

Thanks Jonathan!

[@snapjacksonphotography]

Proud owner of a Kamaka tenor ukulele!

[@bleikrsound6127]

George Harrison would have all stores near his home in HI send him every Kamaka in stock when they arrived.