Description
Sound demo of an earlier HNS tenor, serial 27934, recorded by Kanile'a Sound Studio.
Sound demo of an HNS Core concert, serial 29669, recorded by Kanile'a Sound Studio.
Kanile'a explains how the HNS compares to its ISL and KPA models.
Kanile'a explains the Natural, Core and Pro Series.
The Kanile'a HNS Honu Hawaiian Koa Tenor Ukulele is a Hawaiian-made tenor ukulele with a 17.08” scale, built from solid Hawaiian koa on the top, back and sides, with a single-piece genuine mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, bridge and headplate, and three honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) inlaid on the soundboard (Pāua abalone on the Core and Pro, Kailua beach sand on the Natural). It adds a Pāua abalone logo and position markers, tortoise binding, gold 16:1 geared tuners, ebony bridge pins, a radiused back and the Kanile'a Crown headstock. Choose the Core, Pro or Natural Series below; each one ships with a Kanile'a gig bag or case and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
Specifications
| SKU | HNS-T + serial number |
|---|---|
| Size | Tenor |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Top | Solid Hawaiian Koa |
| Back & Sides | Solid Hawaiian Koa |
| Back | Radiused |
| Neck | Single Piece Genuine Mahogany |
| Fretboard, Bridge & Headplate | Ebony |
| Bridge Pins | Kanileʻa Exclusive Ebony |
| Headstock | Kanileʻa Crown |
| Headstock Logo | Pāua Abalone |
| Front Binding | Tortoise |
| Soundhole | Traditional (round) |
| Top & Side Position Markers | Pāua Abalone |
| Tuners | Kanileʻa Gold Geared, 16:1 ratio |
| Tuning | G-C-E-A (High G on Core and Natural, Low G on Pro) |
Series differences
| Core | Pro | Natural | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honu (Sea Turtle) Inlay | Pāua Abalone | Pāua Abalone | Kailua Beach Sand |
| Koa Grade | Deluxe Grade | Premium Grade | Select Grade |
| Finish | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck | UV Gloss body, UV Silk neck | Single Layer UV Cured Natural (satin) |
| Nut & Saddle | White NuBone | Graphite Infused Black TUSQ | White NuBone |
| Side Sound Port | No | Oval | No |
| Bracing | TRU-R Bracing | TRU-R Bracing | TRU-R Bracing |
| TRU-Reduction Soundboard Etching | No | Yes | No |
| Strings | Worth Fluorocarbon High-G | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze Low-G Set | Worth Fluorocarbon High-G |
| Tuning | G-C-E-A, high G | G-C-E-A, low G | G-C-E-A, high G |
Measurements
| Overall Length | 27” |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 17.08” |
| Nut Width | 1.5” |
| Saddle Width | 2.25” |
| Lower Bout Width | 9.25” |
| Upper Bout Width | 6.75” |
| Body Length | 12” |
| Body Depth | 2.75” |
| Frets | 19 |
What is included
- The ukulele for the series and serial number you choose, or a new one built for you when you choose Build to Order
- Kanile'a Premium Gig Bag (Core and Pro) or Kanile'a Oha case (Natural)
WARRANTY - Kanile'a Lifetime Warranty
BUILD TO ORDER - Kanileʻa builds your HNS Tenor by hand in Hawaiʻi in the series you choose. Photos marked as examples show earlier HNS tenors (Pro serial 29103, Natural serial 28930); we have no HNS Core tenor photos yet, so the Core option shows the Pro example (the Core has Deluxe Grade koa and no side sound port). Your koa grain and the exact placement of the honu inlay will be different. Build time is usually 6 to 8 weeks, and we confirm it with you after you order.
Common questions
What is the difference between the Core, Pro and Natural HNS tenor?
All three are solid Hawaiian koa HNS tenors with the same body, neck, honu inlay, Pāua abalone logo and markers, tortoise binding, gold tuners and Kanile'a TRU-R Bracing. The Core has Deluxe Grade koa with a UV gloss body and UV silk neck. The Pro uses Premium Grade koa and adds an oval side sound port, TRU-Reduction soundboard etching, a graphite infused black TUSQ nut and saddle, and a low-G string set. The Natural has Select Grade koa with a single-layer UV cured natural (satin) finish, and its honu are inlaid in Kailua beach sand instead of Pāua abalone.
What is TRU-Reduction soundboard etching?
TRU-Reduction is a Kanileʻa process that uses laser etching to remove wood from selected areas on the inside of the koa soundboard. The lighter, more flexible top vibrates more freely, which gives more projection and sustain without weakening the top. It is one of the Pro Series upgrades; the Core and Natural Series do not have it. All three series share the same Kanileʻa TRU-R Bracing.
What is the Kanile'a HNS Honu model?
The HNS is Kanile'a's Honu model: three honu, the Hawaiian green sea turtle, are inlaid on the soundboard (in Pāua abalone on the Core and Pro, in Kailua beach sand on the Natural), with a Pāua abalone logo and position markers, tortoise binding, gold geared tuners, ebony bridge pins and a radiused back. Kanile'a builds it in the Natural, Core and Pro Series.
How does the HNS compare to the ISL and KPA?
All three share the same Hawaiian koa grades, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard, Crown headstock, Pāua abalone logo and markers, tortoise binding and gold tuners. The HNS has three honu (sea turtles) inlaid on the top; the ISL has the Hawaiian Island chain instead; the KPA has a thick Pāua abalone rosette around the soundhole.
Is the Kanile'a HNS tenor solid wood?
Yes. Every Kanile'a HNS tenor, Core, Pro or Natural, is built from solid Hawaiian koa on the top, back and sides, with a single-piece genuine mahogany neck.
How is the Kanile'a HNS tenor tuned?
The Core and Natural come with Worth fluorocarbon strings and a high G for standard re-entrant G-C-E-A tuning. The Pro comes with a Worth fluorocarbon x GHS phosphor bronze set with a wound low G for a fuller bottom end.
Where is the Kanile'a HNS ukulele made?
The Kanile'a HNS ukulele is made in Hawaiʻi by Kanileʻa ʻUkulele.
How do I choose the exact ukulele I get?
Every Kanile'a HNS Tenor is hand-built from solid koa, so no two have the same grain. When a finished ukulele is in stock, it is listed under its series and its own serial number with Ships Now, and its photos show that exact ukulele. Choose Build to Order to have Kanileʻa build a new one for you.
How does Build to Order work?
Pick a series with Build to Order and check out as usual. We place your order with Kanileʻa, who build the ukulele by hand in Hawaiʻi, and the build usually takes 6 to 8 weeks; we confirm the timing with you after you order. It ships to you with a Kanile'a gig bag or case and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
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📸 NOTE ON PHOTOS
The photos show a representative example of this model. You will receive an instrument that matches the specs and quality shown — it may not be the exact piece pictured. Questions before ordering? We're happy to help.
