In Memoriam: Sam Beck Rosen

“I’m amazed at the unexpected doors and pathways this instrument and music lead to. The people I meet, the experiences that happen continually surprise me. I would encourage even those who believe they have no musical talent to learn the basics of ‘ukulele playing.” – Sam Rosen

On December 28, 2024, artist and founding member of the Donkey Mill Art Center, Sam B. Rosen—our beloved Uncle Sam—passed away after battling cancer. He was 87. The Mill ‘ohana is deeply saddened by this loss and extends our sincerest condolences, love, and aloha to Sam’s ‘ohana and close friends. We are profoundly grateful for the love, humor, and wisdom he shared with us through his craft, teachings, community gatherings, and music.

Uncle Sam was a jeweler on the mainland from 1956 to 1977. After moving to Hōlualoa, Hawai‘i, in 1977, he became a goldsmith and began cultivating his passion for ‘ukulele making. In 1994, after the loss of the Kona Art Center, Sam sat alongside Setsuko and Hiroki Morinoue, Gerald Ben, and Tomoe Nimori to dream of an ideal art education organization—one that would later become the Hōlualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture (HFAC).

Beyond the Mill, Sam wore many hats: from his early days as a master goldsmith and sculptor to his role as President of the Hōlualoa Village Association, a member of the Hōlualoa Machi Kumiai, chair of Hawaii Craftsmen, and his legacy as a curator and educator at the Hōlualoa ‘Ukulele Gallery. His skill and mentorship in ‘ukulele craftsmanship left a lasting mark on Holualoa and beyond, deeply influencing those who followed in his footsteps. Whether leading one-on-one workshops in his shop or teaching 10-week ‘ukulele construction courses at the Donkey Mill, Sam’s presence and generosity of spirit enriched everyone who learned from him.

Setsuko Morinoue shared, “Sam was so into the local culture, the way we live—he was well-suited for the Hōlualoa community, and some people even called him the ‘Mayor’ of Hōlualoa. In the late 1990s, he took ‘ukulele-making classes and fell in love with it. In the early 2000s, when HFAC purchased the Donkey Mill, he became one of the first teaching artists, offering a nine-week ongoing ‘ukulele-making class. He was a very devoted, masterful teacher who shared his knowledge and experiences, spreading his joy of music through the ‘ukulele. This became his main passion, and he was content with what and who he was.”

The Donkey Mill is eternally grateful for all that Sam Rosen has done to support the arts, music, and our dynamic culture.

Read more about Sam Rosen and his incredible life and work.