Kanileʻa ʻUkulele, one of the most recognizable Hawaiʻi-based ʻukulele brands, has acquired Ukulele Underground, the groundbreaking platform for ʻukulele learning online. With this new collaboration, both Hawaiʻi based companies have created an even greater resource to elevate the experience of every ʻukulele player worldwide.
Lead Instructor Aldrine Guerrero along with UU creators Aaron Nakamura and Kahai Furugen will retain all control over creative content and production. They continue scheduled weekly and monthly offerings of Play-Alongs, Lessons, the popular UU Podcast / Aloha Friday Jam as well as robust, exclusive content for UU+ Members (online subscribers).
“The mission of Ukulele Underground has always been to help grow the next generation of ʻukulele players,” said Aaron Nakamura, founding member of Ukulele Underground (UU). “This mission grows even stronger alongside Kanileʻa ʻUkulele, a company that has been dedicated to innovating the entire ʻukulele experience from incredible ʻukulele artists and music showcases, to the ʻukulele building process, even down to conservation and management of the land that provides the resources for making ʻukulele. In these ways, Ukulele Underground members can now look forward to even more collaborations with Kanileʻa Featured Artists, get premium access to select handmade instruments by Kanileʻa, and eventually even experience ʻukulele events centered around preservation of the resources that make ʻukulele building possible. This new connection between Ukulele Underground and Kanileʻa ʻUkulele ensures a bright future for the next generation of players, so keep an eye out for the many exciting UU x KU collaborations on the horizon.”
Kanileʻa’s collaboration with UU actually began in 2006 (before the creation of the online program) when Aldrine Guerrero became an endorsed artist for the brand. Together, he and Kanileʻa master luthier Joe Souza designed a custom tenor instrument conducive to Guerrero’s energetic and percussive play style. This led to the creation of the Kanileʻa Aldrine model, the first in a line of ProSeries instruments.
In 2015, Kanileʻa and UU revealed a new program offering every new Kanileʻa ʻukulele owner a 30-day unlimited access pass to UU+ Membership. This successful program helped ʻukulele owners of any age and ability take their skills to the next level as players and performers with private lessons through Zoom and support via the UU Forum. This program continues to today.
