Hawi Gallery

I was really interested in getting a decent ukulele while passing through but the shop was closed when I got there. I gave a call to the phone number on the front window and Richard was nice enough to come down and open up the shop for me!
Richard gave me a tour of the entire shop from the entry level instruments to the high end instruments. Really enjoyed talking to him about music and the instruments. He helped me choose a great entry level ebony tenor uke. Had a minor problem with the instrument that he was able to help me with the next day. He was genuinely interested in making sure we had a great experience with the instrument which I really appreciated.
Here’s the thing. You could probably save a small amount by ordering an instrument online from a faceless web behemoth but here’s why a few extra bucks was so worth it to me:
— I got to try out the different instruments in person and see/​hear/​feel what the difference were so I knew I wasn’t getting a piece of junk
— I got to play my instrument at the beach, in the car, in the rental house while on my vacation (other tourists very impressed if you can play a few chords and hum a melody)
— I got to visit a very cool shop and try out a wide range of instruments
— Terrific service from Richard!
Whole family is enjoying the ukulele at home now. Thanks, Richard!

Great store. It’s a history lesson walking through. Richard was great! Helped us buy a beginners uke, took his time and made us feel like regulars!

Wandered in today while touring around the Big Island with my family. Expecting a typical Ukelele shop, my family (who awaited my return outside) was quite puzzled when I had not returned after five minutes.
The place is gorgeous. There are so many nooks and crannies to the store, with electrics and multiple guitar rooms, and the owner even let me try his personal pedalboard.
Speaking of pedals, the selection is amazing. I love the variety of custom, indie pedal companies stocked at hawi gallery. Totally would come back again!

We happened in this shop while in Hawi. We met Dennis McKenna. He was offering free five minute ukulele lessons. I’d actually played a little soprano ukulele in college. it was so much fun getting a refresher course with Dennis that I bought a tenor ukulele from Richard. This is a wonderful shop with a great selection of instruments. I look forward to visiting it again.

Wonderful selection of beautiful ukuleles. Large assortment of ukulele CD’s. Richard is the man to see on the Big Island

Wandered into this little shop and was amazed by the selection of vintage ukuleles. It may be small on the outside, but inside there were three rooms full of ukes going back to the twenties. There were Martins, and banjo ukes, and many other really excellent ukes from different eras and makers. I bought a 70’s era Kamaka Pineapple uke that just sounds beautiful. I also picked up a case for it that was really great and many people stopped me during my travels to ask me where I had gotten it. He also had a nice selection of CDs of vintage ukulele music and performers. There weren’t that many music books, but the ones there were well chosen. There was also a nice selection of vintage Hawaiian shirts for sale. It’s not the kind of store you go to searching for a bargain, but if you are looking for a quality vintage ukulele from a very knowledgeable and helpful shop than this place is definitely worth a visit.