He said the Alii Gardens location has established a positive “local rep,” but business there has plateaued, thus the need for expansion. The challenge is greater when opening a business, such as a music store, with existing “built-in competition.” To get the word out about his stores, Yates mostly relies on word-of-mouth. “Opening any business to begin with is a challenge,” Yates said. Kiernan does not currently offer lessons at his store, but is hoping to be able to host instructors in the near future.Īfter operating Hawaiian Ukulele & Guitar in the Alii Gardens Marketplace for two years, Robert Yates recently opened a second location in the Kings’ Shops at the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Several of his customers are serious collectors, with at least 50 guitars and ukulele. When the Japanese economy is doing well, as it is now, the collector market benefits and interest, especially in the high-end product he sells, increases. There is “huge interest in Japan for American instruments,” he said. Kiernan’s business is not wholly reliant upon an improving domestic economy.
“We’re the only place where you can get a pro job done on your instrument,” he said. More work means more repairs and more instrument sales to the professionals, he said. Not only is he selling more inventory, but as more people seek out live entertainment, musicians get more gigs. The improving economy has had a cascading effect on the music industry here. Kiernan and his son do everything from changing strings to complete restoration of stringed instruments. Kiernan’s is the only fully staffed repair shop in West Hawaii.
Some return to his shop every time they visit Hawaii Island, either to upgrade to a newer instrument, shop from his vintage pieces - Kiernan currently has for sale a 1936 Gibson L7 guitar autographed by Shirley Temple, or to have their instruments repaired. Kiernan said that tourists who know what they want are happy to pay top dollar. His K-Side ukes, made mostly from koa, start at $1,500. “Prices range from $69 to ‘Oh my God,’” Kiernan said. It also carries ukulele and guitars built by Kiernan and his son, Derek. Kiernan’s shop represents local builders including Cody Seeler, Hokukano and Green Sand.
He added, Hawaii Island depends on tourists, and in the past year he’s noticed “a nice upward trend.” The local music community is loyal, providing his store with a steady amount of - in many instances - repeat business. The music business in Hawaii is improving, area retailers say.īrian Kiernan, owner of Kiernan Music in Kainaliu, said that owning a music store, “being able to do what you love, is the most rewarding thing I’ve done.”