Some Thoughts About Hawaiian Koa
Koa, endemic to the Island of Hawaii, is one of the most
sought after and treasured woods in the world. In the
old times, Koa was reserved for the
Ali’I or royalty.
Although at one point it is said to have grown as low
as 330 ft. above the sea level, it’s now for the most
part found above 2,000 ft. elevation and usually on large
private ranches, where it
can be harvested legally.
Koa is found in quite a variety of colors ranging
from
pine-like white to dark chocolate brown
and many
shades in between though the primary color
is a
reddish brown. “Curly”
figure in Koa is very rare and
comes in many forms, but only 1 in
100 trees will have
this. This makes Koa so unique, valuable and beautiful!
Koa wood is used for various arts and
crafts to depict
and preserve the richness of Hawaiian tradition and keep
its culture alive and available to the rest of the world.
So, we invite you to explore the story of Hawaii through
our Koa crafts and you will experience the
“Paradise Island” in a different level!
OUTRIGGER
CANOE
(kioloa
– long narrow racing canoe)
(Length:32 ½ Width:4”)
OUTRIGGER CANOE
( ihunui – broad bow made of butt end of log)
(Length: 32 ½
W: 11”)
OUTRIGGER
CANOE WALL DÉCOR
(w/ curly figures)
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CANOES (WA’A)
Canoes (wa’a) were vital to the Hawaiians,
not only for the peaceful and warlike transport
between the
islands, but to enable them to
harvest the rich food resources provided by the
fertile sea of the Island. At the
same time,
during the early period of early contact the
canoes were used in trading native produce
for foreign goods.
DOUBLE
CANOE
( Length: 34” Width: 11”)
OUTRIGGER CANOE
(kaukahi – w/ one hull)
(Length: 40 ½” Width:
9”)
OUTRIGGER CANOE
( kaukahi – w/ one
hull)
( Length: 40 ½ Length: 6”)
OUTRIGGER
CANOE
w/ “curly figures” (pou – a short canoe)
(Length: 25” Width:4”)
More
Hawaiian
Koa
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