Eddie Kamae’s Honolulu

The Chinatown where Kamae once roamed has changed dramatically over the years, from a teeming red-light district with tattoo parlors and taverns to today’s epicenter of hipster Honolulu.   (Marco Garcia / For The Times )

The historic Wo Fat Chop Sui house in Honolulu. As a child, Kamae sold newspapers in front of this building.  (Marco Garcia / For The Times )

A small market in Honolulu’s Chinatown.  (Marco Garcia / For The Times )

Workers assemble a ukulele at Kamaka Hawaii, a local family business that has made several ukuleles for Kamae.  (Marco Garcia / For The Times )

Kamaka Hawaii has been making its ukuleles from koa wood for almost 100 years.  (Marco Garcia / For The Times )

A worker sands down an unfinished ukulele.  (Marco Garcia / For The Times )

Chris Kamaka fine-tunes a handcrafted ukulele. Chris’ grandfather, Samuel Kamaka, began the ukulele business in his basement in 1916.  (Marco Garcia / For The Times )

Finished ukuleles ready to be sold at Kamaka Hawaii.  (Marco Garcia / For The Times )

Ukulele legend Eddie Kamae enjoys a moment with his wife, Myrna, at the Elk’s Club in Honolulu.  (Marco Garcia / For The Times )