In 1916 Samuel Kamauela Kamaka decided to start his own ukulele business in the basement of his house in Kaimuki and selling them for $5 apiece. By 1921 he was able to hire employees and move out of his basement to a workshop. By the late 20s there were an estimated 15 ukulele manufacturers in Hawaii. The competition was stiff, but a pineapple shaped ukulele designed by Sam Kamaka, Sr. helped his company outlast his competitors and within a decade, Kamaka was the only Hawaiian ukulele maker left.