Mostly all kamakas sound different.. you go in a store you play 5 kamakas, and they will all sound different... like most ukes..It's a standard Koa Kamaka with Martin 600s,,,,I had heard kamakas are on the quiet side with there own brand strings I was hoping the Martins would make a difference but no
A friend uses Aquilas on his Kamaka tenor and it sounds great, with good volume. You're right, the stock strings on Kamakas can sound duller (or "warmer" I guess some people might say, but to my ear it's just dull). I don't play tenor, but I've played Kamaka sopranos and concerts for year. On those, my favorites are the Martin M600s, but I think either Aquilas or D'Addario Nyltechs have a bit more volume and a good clear tone - so either of those might be good choices for your tenor.
Any suggestions for my Kamaka tenor still sounding quiet with Martin 600 strings I am thinking of Lava strings but wondered what the good people of UU would recomend