Dude, you live here on Oahu, so you can def try the instruments and decide for yourself. I reccomend Easy Music Center on King, because they're very chill about trying their instruments and are extremely low pressure. Plus their prices are pretty negotiable within reason. I also reccomend them because they have a wide selection of brands and I know they have G String and Kamaka (as well as KoAloha and Kanilea.) Unfortunately, some of the other stores here don't have as large of a selection. For example, Dan's Guitar is a nice place, but they carry mainly KoAloha and Kamaka, with no Kanileas in sight (don't remember seeing G Strings either, but I could be wrong.) The only other store that I have visited with as wide of a selection is Bob's Ukulele in Waikiki. But the time I was in there, the owner was rather cold, and I have heard similar stories about Bob's customer service. I wish I could comment on Ukulele Pua Pua, but I have never visited their actual store.
I say that you go into the stores and actually try the ukes and be open to Kanilea and KoAloha too. I myself was saving up and was set on Kamaka, but after trying a Kanilea, decided that I had to have it over the Kamaka. Good luck saving!
much mahaloz...
