By Valerie Milano
Overview:
Valerie Milano of The Hollywood Times welcomed Louis Wu and his son Chris of Ohana Music, a family-run ukulele maker based in Long Beach, California. Louis recounted his journey from a 20-year engineering career to founding Ohana Music for more family time, transitioning from medical instrumentation to crafting and selling ukuleles. With five employees, including Chris who joined full-time five years ago, Ohana blends family dedication with professional craftsmanship. A virtual tour of their warehouse showed makeshift aisles sorted by instrument size, where each ukulele is meticulously inspected, set up, and packaged before shipment. They honor the ukulele’s Portuguese origins and Hawaiian heritage by offering vintage-inspired soprano and concert models alongside contemporary designs in diverse tonewoods. Chris highlighted Ohana’s international following—especially in Brazil, China, the UK, and the US—and the company’s growth on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Valerie and Louis discussed the shift from recorders to ukuleles in schools, the rise of younger and female players, and previewed electric uke prototypes. They wrapped up by inviting viewers to explore Ohana at ohana-music.com, Instagram @ohanaukuleles, and their YouTube channel (ohana-music.com, instagram.com, youtube.com).
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 6/8/25 – In a heartfelt and inspiring conversation, I had the pleasure of speaking with Louis and Chris Wu of Ohana Music, a family-owned company based in Long Beach, California, renowned for crafting high-quality ukuleles. Our discussion spanned the roots of the business, its international reach, and how a father’s decision to prioritize family became the beginning of a legacy in music craftsmanship.
Click below to see our exclusive interview:
Louis Wu, the founder of Ohana Music, began his journey in Hong Kong, eventually relocating to the United States to study engineering. After two decades in the tech industry, Louis made a bold life change. Realizing that long work hours left little time for his young children, he left his engineering career to pursue something closer to his heart — music.
With the support of his wife and the involvement of his son Chris, Louis transitioned from designing medical equipment to designing and distributing musical instruments. “From MI to MI,” as he put it — from medical instrumentation to musical instrumentation.
Chris Wu, now a full-time part of the Ohana team, gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of their Long Beach facility. The space is a blend of administrative offices, warehouse aisles stacked with instruments, and a meticulous setup area where each ukulele is inspected and prepared for shipping. Even though 98% of their instruments are manufactured overseas, every ukulele is carefully checked and adjusted in-house to maintain consistent quality — whether it’s an $80 beginner model or a high-end custom build.
Ohana Music is deeply rooted in the heritage of the ukulele, a four-string instrument with origins in 19th-century Portugal and strong cultural ties to Hawaii. Louis proudly shared their vintage series, which replicates historical ukulele designs, such as early Portuguese and Martin styles, paying homage to the instrument’s lineage.
At the same time, Ohana embraces the contemporary. Their newer offerings include modern wood varieties, electric models, and even custom inlay work for musicians seeking unique aesthetics and sounds. The company’s custom shop has become a growing point of pride, especially with the rise of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels showcasing these creations to new audiences.
Ohana’s reach has extended well beyond the U.S., with particularly strong fan bases in Brazil, the UK, and across Asia. Chris noted how different regions connect with the instrument — from the deeply enthusiastic Brazilian audience to highly disciplined young players in China. Even in places like Poland and Eastern Europe, interest in ukuleles is on the rise, signaling what Louis calls the “third wave” of ukulele popularity.
Over the years, the demographics of ukulele players have shifted. Where once it was mainly adult hobbyists in the U.S., now younger generations are learning ukulele in schools, thanks to its simplicity and accessibility. Ohana has adapted to meet these changes by offering a wide range of instruments for all ages and skill levels.
Though Ohana ukuleles have yet to make a significant appearance in Hollywood productions, they have enjoyed moments of visibility on shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway and international talent competitions. With their growing online presence and community, that moment in the spotlight may not be far off.
For those interested in learning more or purchasing an instrument, Ohana’s work can be explored at ohanamusic.com and their custom offerings at ohanacustomshop.com. You can also follow them on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok under @ohana_ukuleles.
From their family story to their global vision, Ohana Music exemplifies how passion, craftsmanship, and a commitment to culture can build more than just instruments — they build community.
Two quotes from Louis Wu:
“I said to my wife, ‘What if I quit my job and try something different?’ … So, I went from engineering to music instrumentation. It was a huge challenge, but I really enjoy what I do.”
“Quality to us is so important, regardless of what the price point is… we still set up every instrument before we ship them out.”
- Ohana Music Official Website: https://ohana-music.com/ (ohana-music.com)
- Instagram @ohanaukuleles: https://www.instagram.com/ohanaukuleles/ (instagram.com)
- YouTube – Ohana Ukuleles (Official): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOxfXF3NrI-Ht96l5pVw3Fg (youtube.com)
