Description
Terry Carter reviews a Kanile'a Pōhaku (baritone shown) with its black-stained quilted maple body.
Terry Carter plays a Kanile'a Pōhaku baritone fingerstyle on the Uke Like The Pros channel.
Kanile'a explains the Natural, Core and Pro Series.
The Kanile'a Pōhaku Black Quilted Maple Super Tenor Ukulele is a Hawaiian-made super tenor ukulele with a 17.08” scale and a body of black-stained solid quilted maple, framed by black front binding, with a fine ebony rosette and red-stained poplar position markers and logo. Pōhaku is built only in Kanileʻa's Pro Series, so every one has TRU-Reduction soundboard etching, an oval side sound port, a graphite infused black TUSQ nut and saddle, the TRU-R Bracing System, a radiused back, ebony bridge pins and chrome 16:1 geared tuners. It ships with a Kanile'a gig bag or case and Kanile'a's lifetime warranty.
Specifications
| SKU | PHK-ST + serial number |
|---|---|
| Size | Super Tenor |
| Series | Pro (Pōhaku is Pro Series only) |
| Number of Strings | 4 |
| Body | Black-Stained Solid Quilted Maple |
| Back | Radiused |
| Rosette | Fine Ebony |
| Headstock Logo | Red-Stained Poplar |
| Position Markers | Red-Stained Poplar |
| Front Binding | Black |
| Soundhole | Traditional (round) |
| Side Sound Port | Oval |
| Nut & Saddle | Graphite Infused Black TUSQ |
| Bracing | TRU-R Bracing |
| TRU-Reduction Soundboard Etching | Yes |
| Bridge Pins | Kanileʻa Exclusive Ebony |
| Tuners | Kanileʻa Chrome Geared, 16:1 ratio |
| Strings | Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze Low-G Set |
| Tuning | G-C-E-A, low G |
Measurements
| Overall Length | 27” |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 17.08” |
| Nut Width | 1.5” |
| Saddle Width | 2.25” |
| Lower Bout Width | 10.25” |
| Upper Bout Width | 6.75” |
| Body Length | 12” |
| Frets | 19 |
What is included
- A new Pōhaku built for you
- Kanile'a gig bag or case
WARRANTY - Kanile'a Lifetime Warranty
BUILD TO ORDER - Kanileʻa builds your Pōhaku Super Tenor by hand in Hawaiʻi. Photos marked as examples show a Kanile'a Pōhaku Pro tenor (serial 29553); we have no super tenor Pōhaku photos yet, so your super tenor will have the same look on its own body size. Every quilted maple top has its own figure. Build time is usually 6 to 8 weeks, and we confirm it with you after you order.
Common questions
What is the Kanile'a Pōhaku?
Pōhaku means stone in Hawaiian. Kanile'a builds it from black-stained solid quilted maple instead of koa, with a fine ebony rosette, red-stained poplar position markers and logo and black front binding, and only in its Pro Series with every Pro feature.
Is the Pōhaku made of koa?
No. The Pōhaku body is black-stained solid quilted maple, which gives it its dark, stone-like look.
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 soundboard. The lighter, more flexible top vibrates more freely, which gives more projection and sustain without weakening the top.
How is the Kanile'a Pōhaku super tenor tuned?
It is tuned G-C-E-A, low G on a Worth Fluorocarbon x GHS Phosphor Bronze Low-G set.
Where is the Kanile'a Pōhaku made?
The Kanile'a Pōhaku is made in Hawaiʻi by Kanileʻa ʻUkulele.
How does Build to Order work?
Pick 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.









