I've mentioned in another thread how my long term gf has had a sad family life being dis-fellowshipped from the Jehovah's witnesses, and has not been allowed to speak to her father and a lot of her family for a good 20 years now.
As F'd up as that all is, the family makes really great Ukuleles in Hawaii. Her brother who also left the religion, but wasn't dis-fellowshipped has a big role in the company. He's sent us a couple very nice solid mahogany tenor ukes.
Growing up playing guitar, it was a pretty easy transition to pick up and they are a whole lot of fun to play.
Also interesting, is their family makes ukuleles Bruno Mars plays:
