What a beautiful instrument, Staci, and a wonderful story.
The whole thing about connections is pretty great too- I think about you whenever I open that Ameritage case my Donaldson uke is in - it seems a little silly, bondiing over a case. but by sending the case to Bradford before he built the uke, it ensured that the uke would fit the case perfectly, which it does - and I have you to thank for that. And I thank both you and Bradford very, very often. (g)
So since that connection is established, and since I don't think I'll ever be able to afford one of Chuck's masterpieces, I simply have to ask you to play Hui Nani often, and I will benefit from the vibes.
I've never been to Kauai, but my first experience with water on the Big Island was standing up to my ankles on a rocky beach in Kona, waiting for my wife, and suddenly feeling something hitting me in the legs. I looked down, and there was a Honu, about 12 inches long, grazing on the algae, and the waves were just bumping him into me. When we were out in the water swimming, several came over, as if to get a look at the pasty white New Yorker swimming in
their water.
So, ukes, cases, honu... We are all connected, after all.
Best of luck with her - I can't wait to hear what she sounds like.
-Kurt
