Brian Schulz @ Cape Falcon Kayaks uses a bamboo laminate for his ribs. I'll eat a kayak if thats a non-asian product he's using! As for joining bamboo, plenty of folks (in my other world o' projects) build bikes from bamboo, using either sisal or CF wrappings saturated with epoxy resin. I would imagine the problem in kayak building would be avoiding mortises, too hard to seal 'em all.
Look at Tom Yost's (yostwerks.com) folding kayak designs. No ribs, just a few stations and long straight poles.
Check out the SeeBee or the SeaTour 15.
What the hey, worst thing- is it dosent work? At that price and availability, I'd say bamboo is well worth a try.

keep us posted and god luck!
kOz