Ukelele thefts out of hand in Honolulu

HONOLULU, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- A rash of ukulele thefts in Honolulu has incensed locals and baffled police, the Honolulu Advertiser reported Friday.

Most recently, thieves made off with a 50-year-old Martin ukulele from a hula studio, valued at nearly $2,000, the newspaper said.

Then, last weekend a signature baritone ukulele, valued at $5,000, was stolen from an entertainer's studio.

From Aug. 1 through Nov. 3, burglary and theft investigators from the Honolulu Police Department's East Honolulu District have received nine reports of stolen ukuleles.

Six of the four-stringed instruments were taken in home burglaries, two from vehicles, and another was shoplifted, police said.