Bounty Music

Five generations ago, in Madeira, Portugal, the Souza Family was playing a musical instrument called the Braguinha. When the Braguinha (the ancestor of the 'ukulele) was brought to Hawai'i by Portuguese immigrants in 1879, the Souza Family followed suit. Joe Souza grew up with the 'ukulele played kanikapila-style, family and friends sitting around singing and playing at the beach or at home. In 1990 Joe was workign as a firefighter, was given the opportunity to apprentice under the late Peter "Uncle Pete" Bermudez, master luthier.

Growing up here on Kauai, Hawaii I have 20 years of experience selecting the best wood in custom instrument production. This has given me the opportunity to work with top performers and to perfect the instruments for entertainment and for serious collectors. I know you'll enjoy all my ukes and guitars which will become heirlooms that you can pass down to your keiki (children).

Shortly after the turn of the century, Samuel Kaialiilii Kamaka began crafting Koa wood ukuleles from the basement of his Kaimuki, Hawaii home. In 1916, he formed his one-man shop, "Kamaka Ukulele and Guitar Works, " and soon established a solid reputation for making only the highest quality ukuleles.

When it comes to family run businesses KoAloha ukuleles may be one of the most familial of them all. Even the employees who are not biologically related to Alvin "Pops" and Pat "Moms" Okami soon end up part of the family. The series of fortuitous events and coincidences that led Alvin to discover his true calling, building ukuleles, is almost as inspirational as the family itself.