1920s Kamaka ‘Painted Back’ Pineapple Ukulele

The blue label Kamaka ‘Special’ ukuleles were considered the custom order instruments of Kamaka’s yesteryear and very limited in number. It is also said that this pineapple model was the very model that saved Kamaka from going bankrupt during the early stages of the company’s history.

Urban legend says that the first 50 pineapple ukuleles were the only ones to be hand-painted and it is estimated that there are only a few of these left to be in existence. Here is one in wonderful example of a true historical piece in restored condition.

This particular piece has been traced back to the ‘Dole Flight’ and was the second place prize along with $10,000 for a competition which was sponsored by the Dole Pineapple Company in the late 1920s. The competition came at a time when trans-pacific flight was not only uncommon, but life-risking. Many pilots were intrigued by the challenge and enticed by the prize money and opted to compete, attempting the flight from Oakland, CA to Honolulu. Unfortunately, a number of pilots never made the successful journey and perished while enroute to Hawaii, never to be found. A special metal plaque on which ‘S. Kamaka’ and the pilot, Martin Jensen, has been inscribed into the plaque commemorating this historical accomplishment on August 17, 1927.

Price: SOLD