I have always wanted to learn how to play the ukulele. When i was a kid, Roy Sakuma was the gold…read morestandard for ukulele lessons, and a few of my friends actually took lessons from Mr. Sakuma. While my parents supported my music aspirations by signing me up for piano, chorus, dance, and clarinet (total geek I know) lessons, adding one more instrument was too much. For the past few years, every time I'd return home I'd go to different ukulele stores, try a few and give up. Too many options, not the right time, or too much to carry back was always my excuse for not buying a ukulele. Visiting Kanile'a Ukulele in Windward Mall, felt different. The huge store was empty and one sales person was at the register. He was a no pressure sales and just so nice. He played the ukulele so effortlessly, natural, and I was SOLD! Since I had never owned or played the ukulele I was thinking of getting just a starter uke ($150-$200/ea). But the wood and manufacturing was in China. That did not feel too authentic. On the other end of the spectrum is all Hawaii made with local wood (koa) at $3000 and up. That seemed too expensive for a beginner ukulele. I ended up with koa wood locally sourced, and the ukulele made in China but verified for quality standards in Hawaii. ($800-$1000). The ukulele comes with a standard case. I ended up liking the custom Kanile'a case because it's waterproof, sturdier, and had a K logo. I also got the moisture control packs that sit in the case to maintain proper moisture levels (not too humid/ dry). And finally I got a tuner. I cant wait to bring this piece of home back with me to the mainland. I have already taken an online class and loved it! I'm so glad I visited Kanile'a! Start to finish the experience was superb! Highly recommended! LOCATION: 4/5 SERVICE: 5/5 VALUE: 4/5 AMBIANCE: 4/5 PET FRIENDLY: yes CLEANLINESS: 4/5 PARKING: 5/5

This store was great and the staff was particularly amazing! I visited last month with 2 young kids…read morewith em, just trying to find my dream Ukulele. Originally just window shopping, but after meeting the helpful staff and getting to see how amazing the Ukulele's they make are, I am now saving up for one of the Ukes from this store. They were so patient with me and never made me feel bad when I was not able to buy the uke that day, or because my kids were running around. Mahalo!

Music Center of Hawaii is very small but the amount of instruments and service far exceeds their…read moreshop size. They are one of the only shops that repairs saxophones, violins, and standup bass's. They have a huge selection of violins, flutes, saxophones just to name a few. The staff is absolutely top notch any thing you need for your bowed instrument is there.

Best experience I've ever had in a music store. My son was freaking out because his saxophone…read moreneeded some repairs, and the employees did an amazing job helping me a getting his saxophone up to par. they were extremely knowledgeable and knew exactly what they were talking about and helped me find exactly what I needed. We will definitely be back and be doing all of our music store needs right here.

Unacceptable Service & Zero Priority I am beyond frustrated…read morewith the service I received today, and I ended up walking out. My wife, my two kids, and I walked into this establishment around 4:35 PM on March 25th. We were greeted at the front by Ted, who told us he'd be over to help us "real soon" and instructed us to head back to the electronic drums. Couple other staff asked if we needed help which we did, and was told they couldn't really help us because they weren't the 'drum guy' and to wait for Ted. We waited. For 25 to 30 minutes. When Ted finally decided to show up, he gave us maybe five minutes of his time. Instead of actually helping us make a decision, he left us with more questions than answers. He told us he'd be "right back," and then disappeared for another 10 minutes. From where I was standing, I could see him at the front of the store helping people who walked in long after we did. The breaking point was when he finally came back to our area...but not to help us. He started assisting another person who had just arrived. At that point, I was losing my cool. He knew we had been waiting patiently for a long time, yet he continued to treat us like we weren't a priority. Once he finally finished with the latecomers, I had to confront him with the facts. I told him exactly how long we'd been sitting there while he ignored us for newer customers. Instead of offering a solution or taking accountability, he just hit me with excuses. Then, he actually had the nerve to ask if I had "more questions." I told him flat out: I was ready to check out 30 minutes ago, but he left us hanging high and dry. I was literally about to tell him which set we were buying, but after that experience, I decided right then and there that we wouldn't be supporting this business. We walked out. Bottom line: You need to get your priorities straight. UPDATE: I'm updating my previous 1-star review to 5 stars because of one person... Senior Manager Anju (I hope I spelled that correctly). After that initial visit yesterday which left us feeling disregarded and unimportant... Anju reached out to me personally to make it right during our phone call. It takes a true leader to own up to a mistake and honestly she did so with such grace. Took full accountability for her store and them some. When we returned today, we weren't just 'customers' we were felt like actual guests. Anju provided the kind of high-touch and personalized support that made the store feel more like a community. She was patient, informative, answered all my questions and incredibly kind to our 5-year-old. She made sure we walked out happy and we left with the perfect Roland TD-07DMK Electronic Drum Kit and a matching V-Drum Amp. I felt Anju made it her mission to make sure every detail was handled perfectly so we could focus on the excitement of our daughter's musical journey instead of the issues we faced previously. It's easy to be a good store when things go right, but how you handle things when they go wrong is the true test... Anju passed with flying colors. From here on out we'll be supporting this business under her leadership. Mahalo for turning this around for our family!

Easy Music Center has always been our go-to place! We love the convenience, wide selection, and…read moregreat service. Every time we visit, we usually have an idea of what we're looking for, and there's always someone knowledgeable who helps us narrow it down -- whether it's for piano or ukulele -- and we always leave with something perfect. That's why Easy Music Center was the first place that came to mind when my daughter needed to interview someone with a guitar background. I called ahead to ask if anyone might be available, and we were lucky to connect with Mike Wong. Funny enough, my daughter's essay (which she'll turn into a book) is for her English teacher, Doc Wong -- what a coincidence! Mike was wonderful -- patient, friendly, and generous with his time. He answered my daughter's questions, played something beautiful, and shared great insights into how guitarists get started. Thank you so much, Mike, for taking time out of your busy day to talk with her! After the interview, my girls and I walked around the store. My oldest was fascinated by a square ukulele -- she played a few tunes and couldn't wait to get home to practice again. The little one had her eye on the smaller guitars. We always have such a great experience at Easy Music Center -- thank you for making music shopping fun and inspiring for our family!

Jimmy taught all 3 of my kids and me, too! He is a consummate professional teacher, with many years…read moreexperience, great musical, and teaching ability, but also lots of patience and desire to impart his love of music to his students.

Jimmy is a very dedicated, knowledgeable, and supportive music teacher. Over the years we have had…read morea number of music teachers for our kids. Jimmy has been the best by far. He really goes out of his way to make it interesting and fun for his students. With Jimmy's help our daughter was able to get into both the Berklee College of Music and the Clive Davis Music Institute at NYU. Thank you so much Jimmy!

Our family has had a wonderful experience at Kailua Music School. The instructors are incredibly…read moretalented, patient, and genuinely know how to make learning music fun. They have a dynamic teaching style that keeps kids engaged while helping them build confidence and real musical skills. What really stands out is the welcoming, eclectic atmosphere. It's a place where students of all ages and abilities can explore music without feeling pressured. The teachers clearly love what they do, and that enthusiasm is contagious. Most importantly, our kids look forward to every lesson. They've developed a genuine excitement for music, and it's been a joy to watch their confidence and abilities grow. If you're looking for a music school that combines excellent instruction with a fun, encouraging environment, I highly recommend Kailua Music School.

Our son has absolutely loved KMS and all of his teachers. When he first started, we weren't sure…read morewhich instrument would be the best fit, but the KMS team encouraged him to explore different options and try several instruments. Giving him the freedom to choose for himself was such a wonderful experience--it helped build his confidence and excitement for learning. In such a short time, we've seen tremendous growth, both musically and personally. On a personal level, our experience with the KMS team has been exceptional. During difficult times, including my medical issues and car troubles, they consistently went above and beyond to support our family. They didn't just care about our son's musical education--they genuinely cared about us as people, checking in and offering kindness and support when we needed it most. I wholeheartedly recommend KMS to any family looking for a welcoming, supportive, and encouraging environment. In addition to outstanding music instruction, they also offer classes in sewing and acting, making it a wonderful place for kids to discover and grow their creative talents.

Professional Speech Therapist! Ms. Trissa really knows her stuff. She is Voice Certified and HIPAA…read morecompliant. And she helped me get my next gig. I feel more confident because she taught me the nuances of my voice and used models of the larynx to explain. If you want to speak well or sing we'll go to her! Highly recommended: 5 stars!!!