I'm visiting Oahu now on my "dream vacation" and did the Koaloha tour last week, I think. I just emailed one night and was in the next day at 1:00... and I was the only one on the tour! Another lady came late and the guide finished my tour and started hers! They were awesome. I also got to chat with Brian and Paul about getting an after market side sound port drilled in my Koaloha. I'll find that SSP thread and reply there.
I visited Ukulele Lab right after the Koaloha tour, but was advised to call ahead since Isaac isn't alway in the shop. Sure enough, he was out and about and met me in 30min. As mentioned earlier, it's a smaller shop but has some cool ukes in there and, again, 1on1 service.
I have an appointment set up to meet Shawn at the Ukulele Friend showroom next Saturday! Looking forward to trying some more amazing ukes.
I mentioned this in another thread (I think "Please Buy This Uke").. I ended up bringing one of my favorite ukes to help quell my UAS and it's helped. I also got a pickup installed at TUS which got me in with them. I scheduled to pick up my uke at the shop in Haleiwa when Corey was working and got to have him provide a little plugged in sound sample. We were also lucky enough to have Kalei show up. We waited for a lull from other customers and got requested a duet from them. It was definitely a highlight!! After that, got some shrimp at Giovanni's.
Going back a bit, I initially went to the shop to ask about my pickup installation and met Brey. He was super cool and directed us to get shrimp at Romy's instead. It's a bit farther drive, but I like it too. After that, I had to drop off the uke at the warehouse before they left, where I got to meet Veronica, Joel, and Billy. All super nice folks.
Cutting back forward... when I asked Brey about the I'iwi soprano, he mentioned that they keep the higher end ukes at the warehouse. I scheduled a time to meet Corey over there and they welcomed me in, gave me a quick tour, then bombarded me with the latest shipment of LFDMs, Blackbirds, Koaloha Red Labels, a Ken Franklin, a Ko'olau fresh from downstairs and that I'iwi soprano I had asked about. I sat on the lil couch where they film the podcast and played whatever I wanted... even before Corey saw some of those ukes! They shoulda left me with one of those plastic bibs they give out at Cajun seafood restaurants!
This was definitely a dream moment... but I think it stemmed from me bringing my Kinnard. It showed that I'm a serious UAS sufferer and they're the dealer / biggest enablers who wanna keep you hooked. If you visit and are serious about checking out the good stuff, they'll make it happen. Having the Kinnard there with me also helped keep me from making any impulse buys.
If you're going on your dream vacation to find your dream uke, there's definitely ample opportunity. This makes me think I should go try that Grimes while I have the chance and inspect for Taimane scratches.
Speaking of Taimane, I got to see her live at the Blue Note earlier this month. I also saw Paula Fuga there on the 23rd and Tavana at the Slack Key Lounge (HB Social Club) earlier this month too. Next I'm catching Jake with Pure Heart then Tavana with Taimane at the Blue Note in January. I'm missing out on The Green and there's a bunch more I've already missed! Needless to say, there's tons of great live music to be found!
Food. Beaches. Shopping. Weather. This is our first time here in almost 20yrs and we're making up for lost time. It's easy to fall for this place!!