Koa Mele is a ukulele brand born in Hawaii, known for its meticulous attention to materials. It's a brand that a young Jake Shimabukuro also loved. ◎ Commitment to All-Hawaiian Koa → **Adopts** rare, single-piece Hawaiian koa solid wood for the top, sides, and back. This achieves a rich volume and sustained sound. (In recent years, even solid wood ukulele models primarily use a "book-matched" construction, where two pieces are joined.) → Hawaiian koa is used for the neck, fingerboard, and bridge. Koa is lavishly used in areas where mahogany or rosewood are used by brands like Kamaka and Koaloha. ◎ Design & Sound → Features a "Honu" (sea turtle in Hawaiian) carving on the top. Excellent appearance. → Finished with a lacquer coating that isn't too hard, allowing the wood to breathe. The volume and sound quality improve with playing. → Some light weather checking, typical of lacquer finishes, is present, but it's at a level that can be enjoyed as part of the character. ◎ Condition → Purchased in Hawaii approximately 20 years ago and stored with little use, so it's in beautiful condition. ◎ Value and Rarity It's now difficult to obtain a Hawaiian-made ukulele with similar specifications for under 100,000 yen. Due to the scarcity of Hawaiian koa wood and rising labor costs, further value appreciation is expected. Take this opportunity to experience the authentic Hawaiian koa sound!