Tigeralum2001
Well-known member
A ukulele love affair story by TigerAlum...
A few weeks ago I went to the Islands; specifically The Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu for a total of 2 weeks. It was a great time in which I spent plenty of time with my family while mixing in some awesome ukulele related events.
The first ukulele event was a meet-up with one of my ukulele heroes, Mr. Chuck Moore. Chuck and his wife Bonnie are just filled with Aloha. They are wonderful people and most gracious hosts. My wife and I had a great time visiting with them. It was an amazing experience that I will cherish. If you have a chance to meet Chuck sometime, definitely do it! The beauty of his ukes are but a small reflection of the man! I could go on, but it would border on fan-boy gushing.
On to Kauai. I arrived on a Wednesday, which just so happens to be a day Aldrine plays at the Oasis. Guess where we ate dinner? Ok, I know Aldrine is talented because we've all seen the videos- but, I was blown away! We are talking HUGELY talented- one of the best in the world! I was amazed. If you have the chance to see him, go. If you need to buy tickets, do it. I'm not sure why I never bought his CD, but I did after that concert (and you should, too- great tracks on there. Mostly originals, but at least one cover). I got to meet him and chat a little while. He is also a nice guy. It was great seeing the tourist who had no idea "Oh, look honey, a ukulele player..." Yep- one of the best in the world. Watching peoples' stunned reactions when he started shredding was almost as fun as listening to him tear it up. Go see him!
Later on Oahu I celebrated Ukulele Day, a holiday I made up, but one we should all celebrate in our own way. To get warmed up on Ukulele Eve, I went to tour Kanilea. While there, I ran into the owner of Ukulele Source (my local ukulele store) who was also there on vacation. The next day (Ukulele Day), I got to meet another one of my UU heroes, one Mystery Man Stan! My friend Len (Hawaii 50) and I met up with Stan and went to tour KoAloha. Afterward we met Andrew from HMS at Ko'olau where he introduced us to Noa and gave us a tour of Ko'olau. Once that was through, we hung out with Andrew and took him to lunch, where we happened to bump into Aaron from HMS (it's a small island). We then we went to HMS and met Corey and Eli and played some amazing ukes. Then we topped all of that off with a shave ice from Matsumoto's. I don't know what the others would say, but I had a most wonderful day!!! I mean doing all of that ukulele related stuff all in one day... that IS a holiday!
The only "K" factory I didn't have a chance to tour was Kamaka. I learned a lot about the production of ukes and the major differences between the brands. That is a post for a different day, though. It was a great learning experience and a ton of fun! If you get a chance to do any of it, I highly recommend it! I'm not sure what it is about ukulele people, but they were all just awesome! It made me truly believe the talk about the power of the ukulele to change the world, as corny as that may sound.
To all involved, thanks again for taking the time to meet me and for the Aloha you shared with me! Thank you, dear reader, for reading my tome! I'm sure for most it was tldr.
Aloha!
A few weeks ago I went to the Islands; specifically The Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu for a total of 2 weeks. It was a great time in which I spent plenty of time with my family while mixing in some awesome ukulele related events.
The first ukulele event was a meet-up with one of my ukulele heroes, Mr. Chuck Moore. Chuck and his wife Bonnie are just filled with Aloha. They are wonderful people and most gracious hosts. My wife and I had a great time visiting with them. It was an amazing experience that I will cherish. If you have a chance to meet Chuck sometime, definitely do it! The beauty of his ukes are but a small reflection of the man! I could go on, but it would border on fan-boy gushing.
On to Kauai. I arrived on a Wednesday, which just so happens to be a day Aldrine plays at the Oasis. Guess where we ate dinner?
Ok, I know Aldrine is talented because we've all seen the videos- but, I was blown away! We are talking HUGELY talented- one of the best in the world! I was amazed. If you have the chance to see him, go. If you need to buy tickets, do it. I'm not sure why I never bought his CD, but I did after that concert (and you should, too- great tracks on there. Mostly originals, but at least one cover). I got to meet him and chat a little while. He is also a nice guy. It was great seeing the tourist who had no idea "Oh, look honey, a ukulele player..." Yep- one of the best in the world. Watching peoples' stunned reactions when he started shredding was almost as fun as listening to him tear it up. Go see him!Later on Oahu I celebrated Ukulele Day, a holiday I made up, but one we should all celebrate in our own way. To get warmed up on Ukulele Eve, I went to tour Kanilea. While there, I ran into the owner of Ukulele Source (my local ukulele store) who was also there on vacation. The next day (Ukulele Day), I got to meet another one of my UU heroes, one Mystery Man Stan! My friend Len (Hawaii 50) and I met up with Stan and went to tour KoAloha. Afterward we met Andrew from HMS at Ko'olau where he introduced us to Noa and gave us a tour of Ko'olau. Once that was through, we hung out with Andrew and took him to lunch, where we happened to bump into Aaron from HMS (it's a small island). We then we went to HMS and met Corey and Eli and played some amazing ukes. Then we topped all of that off with a shave ice from Matsumoto's. I don't know what the others would say, but I had a most wonderful day!!! I mean doing all of that ukulele related stuff all in one day... that IS a holiday!
The only "K" factory I didn't have a chance to tour was Kamaka. I learned a lot about the production of ukes and the major differences between the brands. That is a post for a different day, though. It was a great learning experience and a ton of fun! If you get a chance to do any of it, I highly recommend it! I'm not sure what it is about ukulele people, but they were all just awesome! It made me truly believe the talk about the power of the ukulele to change the world, as corny as that may sound.
To all involved, thanks again for taking the time to meet me and for the Aloha you shared with me! Thank you, dear reader, for reading my tome! I'm sure for most it was tldr.
Aloha!
