Perhaps not an inside scoop anymore, but if you compare Lanikai and Kala models, there are some scary similarities. No big deal I would say, both brand have about equally reasonable reputation for a budget uke.
I wonder about those Indonesian factories, Pono is "famous" for being made over there, but there was another recent brand that got their ukes there... Mainland? The new Kala line? Someone, help me out here.
On a side note, how about work ethics in those factories? Are the budget ukes constructed by 4-year old kids for $0.50 a week??? Lots of clothing factories work that way, and people do not care until it is pointed out to them. I could imagine "fair trade" ukes to work well marketing-wise, because there are so many cool people playing. I'd buy one.