Kamaka ukuleles are one of the most venerable ukulele companies around. The company was started by Samuel K. Kamaka, who had previously been an apprentice for Manuel Nunes (one of the original ukulele makers). They were the only Hawaiian uke makers that survived the war years and are increasingly popular today thanks in no small part to Jake Shimabukuro's endorsement.
Kamaka ukuleles are broadly divided into three time periods.
The ukes from the 1920s and 1930s are collectors items and usually fetch four figures. Kamaka invented the pineapple style ukuleles you'll regularly see examples of these on eBay.
The middle years of Kamaka (the 50s and 60s) are where the real bargains can be found. These ukes are usually referred to as 'Gold Label Kamakas' because of the label in the soundhole. You can usually find these for sale on eBay at a very reasonable price. They aren't the flashiest ukuleles around, but they do, by all accounts, sound good and are very playable. The reputation of these instruments is growing and they could be one of the wisest ukulele investments around.
Kamaka ukuleles have had a big renaissance recently. Their most recent instruments are very high quality and have a high price tag to match. Jake Shimabukuro plays Kamaka ukuleles - a big endorsement of them - which has lead to them becoming very popular.
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