Check out this item from the New York Times, published back in 1915.

HAWAIIANS ARE ANGRY.
Islanders Want Legislation to Protect Ukuleles Manufactured there.
Special to The New York Times.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18. -- The Hawaiians, according to a report from Commercial Agent A. P. Taylor, are angry because certain manufacturers of musical instruments in the United States are making ukuleles and stamping them with the legend "Made In Hawaii." The ukulele has become very popular since the opening of the Hawaiian building at the San Francisco Exposition. The Islanders there have infected visitors with a desire to possess the instrument and they are being imported from Hawaii and manufactured on a large scale in this country. The ukulele is not distinctively a Hawaiian instrument, having been introduced in the Islands by Portuguese immigrants in the early eighties.

The thing makes a sweet jingle, somewhat as fetching as the melody of mandolin and the word "ukulele" describes the Hawaiian appreciation of it, the word meaning "dancing flea." The Hawaiians are devising a distinctive trademark which they will ask to have protected by legislation. They want authority to place on the instruments made in the Islands the legend: "Made in Hawaii, U. S. A." and making it a misdemeanor to use this legend on instruments made in the United States.

The ukulele is made of koa wood, which is called the Hawaiian mahogany and takes a beautiful polish. THe forests are limited and the koa wood comes high. A good ukulele costs as much as $15.

The New York Times
Published: September 19, 1915
Copyright © The New York Times

And now this one from the Honolulu Star Bulletin, nearly a century later, More fake Hawaii products hitting market, officials say.

Interesting how the solution for each case seems to be the same.

It's also amusing to note the last line in the NY Times article about how a good ukulele can cost as much as $15.

Ha!