Jonah Kumalae
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Jonah Kumalae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 13, 1874 Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Died | May 6, 1940 (aged 65) Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Occupations | Ukulele maker, businessman |
Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse |
Lena Ahana (m. 1901) |
Jonah Kumalae (October 13, 1874 – May 6, 1940) was an American politician, businessman, publisher, ukulele manufacturer, and musician of ethnic Hawaiian origin. Though most noted for manufacturing and marketing his 'Gold Award' Kumalae Ukuleles from 1911 to 1940, he may be best remembered by local Hawaiians for his purchase and relocation of the Spreckels Mansion, former home to Claus Spreckels, sugar industry magnate.[1] In 1921, Kumalae purchased the three-story home with its noted square tower, and then had it relocated piece by piece to its final location on King Street, Honolulu.[2]
Ukulele manufacturer
Kumalae is considered to be the most prolific ukulele manufacturer of his time, producing as many as 300 ukuleles per month at the peak of his business,[4][5] or possibly as many as 600 per month.
In 1911, Kumalae began making ukuleles in earnest, having been a very accomplished musician. His ukuleles were made of Koa wood, brought over from the Big Island of Hawaii.
In 1915, Kumalae got a big break in his ukulele manufacturing and sales. He applied for, and won, a bid to display his ukuleles at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition of 1915, where his ukulele design won a Gold Award.[3] This enabled Kumalae to market and sell his ukuleles to companies on the U.S. Mainland and, according to many ukulele historians, was instrumental in ushering in a 'new wave' of ukulele and Hawaiian music popularity.[6]
Historians believe that it was Kumalae ukuleles that were given to passengers on island-bound cruise ships in the 1920s, as well as distributed at local hotels.[7] One of these hotels was the famous Royal Hawaiian Hotel, which opened in 1927. Noted ukulele historian and enthusiast Ron Cook documented his work on Kumalae ukuleles that were labeled and sold to guests at the Royal Hawaiian.[8] Cook states that later ukuleles sold at the hotel did not bear the Kumalae label, but are more than likely Kumalae's.
Famous musician and entertainer Tiny Tim Khaury (most noted for his rendition of the song 'Tip Toe through the Tulips') owned a Kumalae ukulele, which was put up for auction by his daughter in 2004, for a reported $2900.[9]