SOLD - Nuuanu Style 4 Koa Ukulele – Hawaii c.1920

SOLD

Not a lot is known about the Nuuanu Ukulele Co., though Nuuanu Street in Honolulu was itself home to several uke makers including Dias & Santos, two of the three original luthiers that sailed from Portugal to Hawaii & gradually transformed the Portuguese "machete" into the Hawaiian ukulele.

An individual builder named Enos Kealoha is the likely maker of this uke. Collector/historian Tom Walsh has an identical uke with his label inside so it's also highly likely that Kealoha worked in the Kumalae factory at some point, as these ukes are in all aspects identical to Kumalae Style 4 ukuleles of the same period.

This wonderful specimen is virtually unplayed and in original condition. The Nuuana features immaculate detail around the soundhole and fretboard, along with the beautiful Hawaiian insignia on the headstock. It also shows off a fantastic rope style binding around its top, making this a very attractive ukulele.

The back and neck are in fine order with no splits, cracks or other issues. All else appears to be structurally sound, with a straight neck, good frets and tuning pegs still working well.

It tunes up nicely and sounds lovely – just like the soundtrack to gently lapping waves on a Honolulu beach in 1920.

The Nuuana comes in its original canvas case.