HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Goodguys Music and Sound is an old school store that has survived the times.
Clay Nakasone and Bryan Aoyagi opened the store along Kapahulu Avenue in 1999.
“Clay unfortunately passed away in 2016, but the story is still going on, and the name ‘Goodguys’ is really a description of those two gentlemen,” said Bobby Nishida, who’s been working in the shop for about 24 years.
“It was just them two and then they asked me to come on board to help them, and I had no experience in selling anything. I’m just a musician,” Nishida said.
Nishida played with musicians like Frank De Lima and Loyal Garner.
The music shop is a special place for renowned ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro.
“Seeing guys like Uncle Bobby there, Uncle Vernon, I mean, those were my heroes growing up, you know, just like, you know, big time musicians that I just looked up to and admired and learned so much from the,” said Shimabukuro. “I remember Uncle Clay and Uncle Brian. You know, they really took such great care of me when I first started out playing. I mean, they’ve known me since I was a kid.”
The shop specializes in guitars, ukuleles and sound systems. You can buy, sell or trade musical instruments.
Musician Nate Mata, who is also a ukulele teacher, said he’s been going to the store since it first opened.
“I just love coming in here and fiddling around with ukuleles and talking story with the staff here, it’s just a good environment to be around if you’re a musician,” said Mata. “I’ve been going to Goodguys for about 27 years since they opened in 1999 and never really went to any other music shop.”
“During these challenging times, it’s really great that people still believe in playing instruments and still believe in music, and that’s important to us,” said store manager Chris Mew.
You can check out the shop Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In our Holoholo series, Jolanie Martinez takes us across the islands to find hidden gems, fun places, and interesting people. Do you have a hidden gem or story in your town? Let us know about it atholoholo@hawaiinewsnow.com.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Goodguys Music and Sound is a musician’s haven in Kapahulu – Hawaii News Now
