| Griffin Ukuleles |
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Each morning after breakfast I head for the beach to play my ukulele under the Kiewe trees. I brought along lots of music to play, this morning it is Stu Fuchs lessons.  Mozart sounded pretty good accompanied by the surf.  A friendly beach walker agreed to take my picture proving the I was practicing.  And enjoying the experience
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 today we took a delightful hike down a valley to a protected cove that must have been an ancient village site. A fresh water stream runs down the center of it to the sea. The foliage and trees are amazing.  Huge trees are covered with hanging vines  This sign hints at some of the valley's story  There are wild chickens everywhere.  And there are lots of chicks as well  Tarzan could swing from these. It was a lovely walk through the valley to the sea. Beauty remains in Hawaii
Are marvelous indeed. Today we started at Sea Level washing the waves roll in.  Then we drove to the "Up Country" on the slopes of the great volcano. The views looking down on the valley and the sea below are spectacular.  Along the high road, Kula Road, we made our annual visit to Sun Yet Sen park, A grand spot to enjoy the view and look at the interesting Chinese art which adorns it. Even includes a bronze statue of the Chinese leader. but I like this Foo Dog sculpture better.  Here is a closeup.  We also found an old Redwood water tank in the Up Country. The old Redwood tanks of Maui inspired my first interest in Redwood soundboards when Eric Devine showed me Redwood he had sourced from an old tank on Maui. He assured me that the old wood made wonderful soundboards. He was right, except my redwood comes from old water tanks from New York City. Same vintage, same quality.  Ancient and wonderful wood. I only hope that when this tank is finally demolished its wood is respected.
I first met him four years ago as a 16 year old performing his very first gig at the Paliolo bar at the Weston Kanipali Villa North where we stay. His mother and his aunt had accompanied him to give moral support and he was very nervous, but he was Good! I have watched him mature for four years. He has developed into a fine performer. Each year better.  Now a junior in college, Max is planning a career in teaching music and the hawaiian language. He sings beautifully in Hawaiian. Unique and lovely He was playing here tonight and I enjoyed a reunion. Earlier in the day I called on my friends at Bounty Music, and Mele Ukulele. There seems to be a lot of interest in the big two string basses that i have made, so I though I would include this photo of the two that I have made. A fun and unusual build in both cases, but also wonderfully useful and fun instruments.  We began our day with our usual 1 1/2 mile walk along the beach, saved only by breakfast at the Castaway Cafe about half way back. Ah Coffee, how could we live without it?  This delightful little cafe by the sea shore serves wonderful breakfasts.  Then we decided to take a drive up the Hana Highway a ways. Wow the waves on this side of the island. There were lots of surfers out there in this fury.   i think I am a little too old for this sport.! ! !
At my favorite ukulele playing spot on the beach this morning.  I come here each morning to sit on a tree trunk and strum to the sea. Private, out of public view, no-one to hear me. A special spot, but this morning the tide was high, the surf was huge and It was exciting to be playing and wondering if the next wave was going to reach me. finally it did, My feet got wet and I evacuated. An exciting practice
I was walking up from playing at the beach this morning and passing the pool booth saw Austin noodling on a uke. A cool guy, he was soon noodling on my #100.  Before long I was introduced to another player. He told me he had built six ukes in a high school class- well this is Hawaii, what would you expect.  View from our room at sunset, Thats Molikai in the distance.   These tenors for Rich and George are very close to finish. The French Polish will get a chance to harden up while I am gone, then another light sanding, a few more applications and it will be time to attach the bridge, the tuners, and string these babies up. The first of 2019.    The tree is on the curbside waiting for the Boy Scouts. The Santa Balls are about to be boxed up and stored til next year, The workshop is closed for a while---  And we are headed for the sunshine. I will soon be playing my ukulele on the beach at Kanipali. Watch for blog posts from Maui.
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