I knew as soon as I saw the 25th Anniversary Editions for KoAloha, I would want one for the history, mainly. Why do I say, "Mainly?" Well, I am a KoAloha fan ever since the first concert I purchased in 2012, and then a Tenor, Sceptre, 6-string Imailkulani, a Pikake soprano, and two Pineapple Sundays. This is not to brag, for sure. KoAloha is the sound that touches my soul. This past year I was lucky enough to purchase here on UU a perfect condition Early KoAloha soprano (1997) that was one of the earliest from Pops- and now, in this 25th Anniversary year, I am now the proud recipient of #043 of the Anniversary Edition Tenors.
I remember the very first time I became aware of Koaloha. I was in Waikiki in 2009 and I was visiting Ukulele stores and saw these beautiful KoAlohas but I knew nothing about them. I owned a 1976 Kamaka 8-string that I had purchased from Sam Kamaka at the Kamaka factory back in the 1970's and believed that Kamaka was the best ever. To my surprise, in store after store, the sales folks kept telling me about KoAloha. One guy actually said, " I know you love your Kamaka, and Kamaka is great, but Koaloha is the best." I did not get a Koaloha at that time, but eventually I got a wonderful concert from a member here at UU that was built in 2009 and I fell in love. For me, at least, that store owner in Waikiki was right-- KoAloha No Ka Oi.
The light shade of Koa on this Anniversary Edition Tenor is very different from all of my other KoAloha's. It is set off beautifully by the ebony headstock, bridge, and fretboard. The upgraded silver tuners are perfect for the Silver Anniversary and the black and silver label with #043 adds a subtle, yet elegant feel to this special anniversary. It is just a gorgeous ukulele.
How does it play? It plays as one would expect a Koaloha to play and sound. The KoAloha team did did not want to reinvent the wheel, or deviate from what has made them successful these past 25 years, as anybody who loves KoAloha knows, it is all about the sound. The upgrades they made have added the right amount of change to make this limited edition stand out, without adding significantly to the price, and without changing the character of a Koaloha Ukulele. In this special limited edition, you get everything you could want: a special limited edition uke that carries the KoAloha sound into their second quarter century.
For me, having an early Koaloha (Pops actually made the label on his home printer) and then 25 years later, an Anniversary Edition is special. It speaks of KoAloha's continual dedication over time to excellence. Keeping it small in order to control quality and never sacrificing quality.
Another point that makes this ukulele special for me is that it was hand selected by Pops, strung and tested by Pops, and then shipped to me with Aloha by Pops. Who can ask for more?
I remember the very first time I became aware of Koaloha. I was in Waikiki in 2009 and I was visiting Ukulele stores and saw these beautiful KoAlohas but I knew nothing about them. I owned a 1976 Kamaka 8-string that I had purchased from Sam Kamaka at the Kamaka factory back in the 1970's and believed that Kamaka was the best ever. To my surprise, in store after store, the sales folks kept telling me about KoAloha. One guy actually said, " I know you love your Kamaka, and Kamaka is great, but Koaloha is the best." I did not get a Koaloha at that time, but eventually I got a wonderful concert from a member here at UU that was built in 2009 and I fell in love. For me, at least, that store owner in Waikiki was right-- KoAloha No Ka Oi.
The light shade of Koa on this Anniversary Edition Tenor is very different from all of my other KoAloha's. It is set off beautifully by the ebony headstock, bridge, and fretboard. The upgraded silver tuners are perfect for the Silver Anniversary and the black and silver label with #043 adds a subtle, yet elegant feel to this special anniversary. It is just a gorgeous ukulele.
How does it play? It plays as one would expect a Koaloha to play and sound. The KoAloha team did did not want to reinvent the wheel, or deviate from what has made them successful these past 25 years, as anybody who loves KoAloha knows, it is all about the sound. The upgrades they made have added the right amount of change to make this limited edition stand out, without adding significantly to the price, and without changing the character of a Koaloha Ukulele. In this special limited edition, you get everything you could want: a special limited edition uke that carries the KoAloha sound into their second quarter century.
For me, having an early Koaloha (Pops actually made the label on his home printer) and then 25 years later, an Anniversary Edition is special. It speaks of KoAloha's continual dedication over time to excellence. Keeping it small in order to control quality and never sacrificing quality.
Another point that makes this ukulele special for me is that it was hand selected by Pops, strung and tested by Pops, and then shipped to me with Aloha by Pops. Who can ask for more?
Last edited: