Nine years ago, we started off on what we projected to be a six year commitment. It all started with a call from Josh Adachi from the Molokai Youth Center. They were looking for a company to provide instruction on how to make ukuleles. We were quick to grab on to this and one thing lead to another and it grew to the point where we decided to:

1. Provide our own ukuleles as kits
2. Pay our own way there
3. Volunteer our time
4. Take the entire company

We missed last year due to a hectic travel schedule as well as once in 2008, but we haven't missed a single child since the inception in 2004. We doubled up on the years we missed. 2013 marks our 9th year and here's how it went:
This year was no different from others, the entire team made it out to the Friendly Isle. This is probably the most anticipated one of all our travels each year.

Mahalo nui loa to Michael Drew and the ohana of Hotel Molokai as they have been hosting our groups each year since 2006. It helps us a lot.

The after workshops views are pretty good too. We made our daily rounds to the pool and washed off all the dust from the workshops. Not to mention, Molokai is HOT! So the pool was a literal oasis.

But of course the reasons why we were there is right here in the picture, all 70 reasons.

A little bit of sanding, gluing, assembling and oiling - then voila! We packed the entire cafeteria for this build. It was the first time we did this many kits. The previous record was about 43 of them. As for the results.....

Well I'd say this guy looks pretty excited about making his own KoAloha Ukulele, would you agree?

Most of our morning were spent at Kanemitsu Bakery. I had to depart from my low carb menu and went with this every morning, loco moco w fried rice. Don't be sad for me, it was ono!

We also try to make a short 10 minute trek up the hill to Kualapuu, where Kualapuu Cookhouse is. These folks are amazing.

I opted for the steak. Was more like a side of beef. Was so huge that it practically covered my entire plate. So so good!

Molokai is a double edged sword. Many think we are the ones bringing something of value there. In our eyes, we are the ones that walk away with more. The place is a reminder of how Hawaii used to be. It's taking a step back in time where people helped one another without expecting anything in return. A time when no one locked their house doors.

The island is often the brunt of economic jokes which lights our fire even more. We should all be helping one another to make this short life just even a little bit better. It's fair to say that many of the families would not be able to afford the ukulele we build there, but that depends on how you measure paying. We were showered with home made goodies in baskets that overflowed. They all tasted incredible. After all, they gave what they could and money can't buy that.

So we broke our promise. We went back after we completed the first six years. At nine years, we've broken that intent three times. 400 instruments later, we don't have any issues breaking our word again next year. Mahalo ke Akua, we are the ones that are blessed.

One of the more rewarding things about what I do now is to be invited as a speaker for various engagements. I've presented to career days at primary schools, a high school and most recently, a career development assembly and college.


With a view like this, it's hard to think that this is some kind of work or something like that. Lucky we live Hawaii I tell you. This is the view from St Louis Heights, Chaminade campus. Didn't realize that they had an observatory.

The view includes a panoramic view of Palolo Valley. It's amazing to see it all from this vantage point.


You can also see Diamond Head in the distance. I was amazed at the clear view as we been having a lot of vog lately. I'm super happy that I was able to take these shots.

Then I went to work. These are the young men and women that are part of the Hogan Entrepreneur Program at Chaminade.

The Hogan program is designed to create future leaders, regardless of the work sector that you are in. They bring in presenters from all walks of life and professions to share of their experiences with the group. Supporters include many of the high society in Honolulu and I was amazed to learn of the calibre of speakers that have passed through their doors.

From my notes, I think one of the best things I share with them is to dream. Not only to dream, but to dream big. The biggest obstacle in place is fear of failure as we think about all the people watching us, measuring each step we take. "Embrace failure" I told them. "It's your friend". There's a reason I shared this:

Fear comes in as most don't dare to dream. We don't want to look like fools if we can't achieve our goals. What is often underestimated is the positive impact of failure. It's the best teacher, because it hurts. Hurts in many ways. Failure dictates change. It screams for course corrections, self examination and calls for improvement on what we are doing and how we behave. Embrace failure my friends as long as you don't linger there. Success may be just a corner away.


Being the aggressive marketing company that we are, we've spent a lot so mornings on local TV. I'm so happy that the call time isn't 4:00 am anymore these days.

While he has yet to follow me back on Twitter (he promised), Howard Dicus isn't just a walking encyclopedia. He's been wonderful supporting a lot of the human interest stories that we are involved with such as Hawaii Youth Symphony and Peacebridge (Schofield Barracks Wolfhounds) to name a couple. He's always willing to help us share the message of goodwill and the arts.


Oh my goodness this one might be my favorite one. Olena Heu is not only a former beauty queen, she's just as beautiful on the inside. She's one that engages you with genuine interest. She doesn't have the hi makamaka attitude that some on air personalities have. As for heart, she's a sweetie. So tender and caring, one that's truly invested into the people and stories she shares. I'm a fan.

Poi Boys! Poi Boys! If you know what I'm talking about, 'scuze me...your age is showing, ha ha. The legendary promoter extraordinaire, Uncle Tom Moffat. He's a great guy and has come out to support us at some of the events we've had. He's soft spoken and a true gentleman.


Had to include this handsome Hawaiian man. Nathan Aweau, owner of the "voice". OMG, I had to sing after him once when we had a small private event. I should've read a poem instead...... Nathan has supported some of our charitable events pro bono. Keep this in mind as he needs to travel and perform to earn a living. Coming up this fall, he's rearranged his schedule to do another freebie in Japan for tsunami relief at Herb Ohta Jr's Ohana Festival in Japan.

Another age test, remember Tiger Beat magazine? Then you're bound to remember guitar god, Peter Frampton. This guy is a hit! While he's famous and all that, he doesn't act that way. Proud to say he's a KoAloha owner.


Nest stop, Margaritaville. The man himself, Jimmy Buffet. Margaritaville is one of the most successful brands. What they sell and how they do it are beyond me. I just know that Jimmy is the most down to earth famous person that I know, along with the likes of slipper wearing Jack Johnson (another fantastic guy). Jimmy flies his own private jets, just one detail unknown to most. His favorite is a C-130 cargo jet, not the learjet. Wow. I'm fortunate to say he's loosely agreed to be one of my mentors. "I'll help ya whatever I can Al, but I don't know if I qualify as a mentor" was his words. Qualified? My goodness, just his name earns more money than what my house is worth.

Asia's Sexiest Magician. Magic Babe Ning, pictured with my other buddy from Singapore, the media mogul Pam Ho. Ning is famous, she's sexy and successful, but she doesn't act that way. She behaves like an everyday girl, just having fun while doing what she loves. There are no stiletto heels or powdery makeup when you hang out with her, it's just Ning. And that's more than enough. She's awesome!

I don't want to spew out a list, because in truth, we've met a hella lot of famous folks. I guess it's part of our job's nature. Not really important to me. Like I said, it's about the person and who they are, not who they are. Is that confusing? I'd rather have a new friend than a picture of someone that will forget me in the following five seconds. Lucky to say that I have made a lot of good friends, famous and not.


When traveling to NAMM (North American Music Manf) we always stay with our friends at Ramada Maingate on Harbor Blvd. We are neighbors with Disneyland there. And it's really convenient to live right next to Denny's as well.

But this trip really wasn't about NAMM. It was a "thank you" to my crew for working so hard in 2012, so we took them on an all expense paid trip to Anaheim for the bonding that we missed out on a little last year as we outfitted the factory in Thailand. So, Disneyland here we came!


Of course tradition kicks in and we drive over to Newport, THE Joe's Crab Shack as far as we're concerned. There are others, but this one is THE one. It's a must do for us each time we go to Cali.

We love their famous steam pots, but we also fell in love with the atmosphere. They're a bunch of fun loving folks that will gladly play along with whatever hijinx you might have in mind. Here's Dustin becoming one of the victims of the night. We actually staged a company wide prank as my brother and I had a fake drinking contest. (we were the designated drivers). I got the bartender to serve us fake drinks, so we weren't drunk. We just acted that way. Guys were sweating. Yes, I know bad joke, but I'm being transparent. We're brutal at work.


What trip to the West Coast would be complete without a trip to In & Out? Not ours, so we went there.

Here is our duty as Americans. Nuff said


We also went to California Adventure where we spotted some VH07V. Rides and coasters? Of course we did. Love the Hollywood Haunted Tower. Just love it!

We even got to meet Disney's Brother Bear........oops!


Tradition can be a good thing, especially when it involves Los Sanchez. Judging by how many Latinos eat there, we know we're in good hands.

The menu stretched across the entire place and whatever you feel like feating on, chances are they have it. Providing it's Mexican of course.


Mine was huevos con chorizo, one of my favorite dishes. If not this, I'll usually go for tamales.