Thanks, everyone. I shall go with the Pono coz I'm not much of sound tinkerer. The simpler, the better
If it's not too late, I will chime in this point for you to consider.
The Godin's tone/volume knobs is extremely simple to use. The one on the far left is volume and just controls how loud the output signal is.
The other three are simply Treble, Mid and Bass. If you don't want to touch your sound, just leave the tone knobs all in the middle.
The passive version of the Pono has no volume and tone knobs. It may seem "simpler", but maybe it isn't.
A passive electric may in fact require a lot more "sound tinkering" with external devices, like pre-amps and playing around with the knobs on the amp to get it sounding like you want. On the contrary, an active electric instrument will sound just fine with all its tone knobs at the middle and the tone knobs on the amplifier all in the middle too. Passive output is "raw", and may not necessarily sound pleasant with the tone knobs in the middle. You will be more likely to need to "tinker" with your sound in order for it to not sound too harsh or too bassy, etc.
If you want to plug it into a PA system, an active like the Godin is an easy "plug and play".
A passive with a PA system will require at the very least a DI box or external pre-amp to bring the signal levels up to mic level, etc.
I have owned many electric ukes, both passive and active. They have their pros and cons, but if you are looking for "simplicity", actives tend to be simpler and easier to get a usable tone out of
Active systems were made to make amplifying instruments simpler and easier! It's not the other way around! It takes a bit more expertise to utilise a passive pickup in my experience!
Furthermore, it is interesting to see someone who says they are not much of a "sound tinkerer" buying a completely solid-body electric.
The very essence of electric instruments IS the "sound tinkering". If you are not a "sound tinkerer" now, owning an electric instrument will inevitably turn you into one. Afterall, your ears will have a preference to what it hears out of the amp. That being said, the Godin doubles as an acoustic ukulele.
I play my Godin unplugged a lot. Its acoustic tone is pleasant and there is no "tinkering" involved