Check out the Lanikai ukuleles on this site. They're not bad, and the price is right. The page is from Bounty Music, which has stores on Maui and Kaua'i, so I haven't seen them. But they carry excellent brands. I've been sorely tempted to buy a good ukulele, and I was just in a shop where I was even more tempted, but I have to watch both my money and my time these days, so it will have to wait.

One other suggestion for your friend is to take a look at the Flea. Yes, it's plastic and it's made in Connecticut, not in Hawaii...BUT...it sounds and plays quite nicely, probably better than a similarly-priced wood model. And it comes in some cute colors, including a pineapple pattern that is a pun on the traditional Kamaka "pineapple" uke.

When your friend wants to move up, Kamaka is one of the oldest and most respected ukulele companies in Hawaii. I was also very impressed with the quality of Koaloha, at a price well below Kamakas. But there are a slew of independent luthiers in the islands who turn out outstanding instruments. And Martin's new S-O series is supposed to be pretty good.

And I will hasten to pedantically point out that the correct spelling is "ukulele" and the correct pronunciation is "oo-koo-lay-lay." OK, OK, call it a "you-ka-laily" like everybody else does, but at least spell it right, all right? And, yes, people in Hawaii do call it a "uke."   And I can only play a half dozen chords, so what do I know?

Aloha,
Mark

PS, the split infinitive was deliberate.