The United Nations Recognizes Kanile`a `Ukulele

Joe Souza on the UN's "Lid is On" podcast series

KĀNEʻOHE, HAWAIʻI – Kanileʻa ʻUkulele, Hawaiʻi’s premier ʻukulele company, is featured in the latest United Nations “Lid is On” podcast series. Reporter and podcast host Daniel Dickinson interviewed master luthier and company co-owner Joe Souza for an in-depth look at a small business that operates daily to prove “sustainability and profitability can co-exist.”

“Planting a koa tree for every ʻukulele we build is not something we just say, but it’s something that we do,” said Souza when explaining the connection of the ʻukulele to the land, to aloha and to the inspiration of the soul. He delves into the milling and building process. He also shares Kanileʻa ʻUkulele’s deep commitment to reforestation with an unprecedented goal: to plant 195,000 trees – 1,000 trees for each nation of the world.

Hear the podcast in its entirety by visiting UN News online at this link: https://news.un.org/en/audio/2020/08/1069351

About the UN:
The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter.

Due to the powers vested in its Charter and its unique international character, the United Nations can take action on the issues confronting humanity in the 21st century, such as peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, human rights, disarmament, terrorism, humanitarian and health emergencies, gender equality, governance, food production, and more.

The UN also provides a forum for its members to express their views in the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and other bodies and committees. By enabling dialogue between its members, and by hosting negotiations, the Organization has become a mechanism for governments to find areas of agreement and solve problems together.

The UN’s Chief Administrative Officer is the Secretary-General. 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.

UN News and Media provides a suite of multimedia products and services covering the work of the United Nations both at Headquarters and around the world, to support the work of the international news media.
A broad selection of content including up-to-the-minute news and in-depth coverage on the work of the United Nations can be found online at https://news.un.org/en/.

About Kanileʻa ʻUkulele:
Husband-wife team Joe and Kristen Souza founded Kanileʻa ʻUkulele in July of 1998. Joe apprenticed under master luthier, the late Peter Bermodez, learning “uncle Pete’s” traditional Hawaiian building techniques while working to integrate today’s 21st century technologies. This mash up of old and new has proven effective in creating a full-bodied, rich sound that is distinctive of these playable masterpieces. Their three adult sons are now an integral part of the business. Joe collaborates with the youngest, Kahiau, regarding design and production. Kristen mentors their middle son, Iokepa, in administrative operations. Their eldest, Kaimana, oversees Sales and Marketing for both retail clients and dealers around the globe. Together, the Souza family strives to innovate a healthy and creative world through high quality and joyful sounding ʻukulele.

Kanileʻa ʻukulele are available worldwide through authorized dealers and directly from the factory. For more details or to meet the team on a free Kanileʻa tour, call (808) 234-2868 or visit kanileaukulele.com.

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