HAWAIIAN WOODS
First and foremost we are predominately a WHOLESALE supplier of KOA dealing in large volumes. Although we do have a store in HONOLULU please call for an appointment, and if we can help you we will gladly do so. We do not stock a large volume on-site in Honolulu, but rather mostly take larger orders for green or dry lumber which is prepared at our millsite on the Big Island. Mostly our stock in Honolulu consists of instrument grade lumber and sets for guitar and ukulele makers. We do all of our resawing in Honolulu. I apologize in advance if we do not have what you need.
** Instrument grade (QUARTER-SAWN FIGURED) Koa is sold in SET & LUMBER form; please email for custom quote. We do not email price lists.
COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE
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Koa (ACACIA KOA) aka "Hawaiian Koa" is the main wood we supply in various forms. Our koa originates from the Big Island of Hawaii from the slopes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. Koa is the premier hardwood of Hawaii and ranges in price from affordable to astronomical! Read more Koa for the instrument world is our specialty. We sell both lumber and sets of all grades and have satisfied customers worldwide. Despite the rumors, koa is NOT running out, but rather what is allowed to be cut is very limited therefore so is the supply and high prices. Despite the limited availability our business has successfully supplied the market for MANY years due to our excellent reputation and relationship with landowners and ability to successfully harvest and replant Show less |
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MANGIFERA INDICA — Mango is a large tree often reaching 65 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter. The wood has been used in Hawai'i for carved and turned bowls and furniture. Read more Mango is a relatively soft hardwood, moderately heavy, with specific gravity of 0.57. The color is lustrous blond, frequently showing mottled color variation acquired during drying. Some trees may have dark brown heartwood. The grain is often wavy and often has a pronounced curly or "fiddleback" figure. Though tough, mango wood is perishable and is therefore tricky to season without degrade. Show less |
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METROSIDEROS POLYMORPHA — The 'Ohi'a is unique to Hawai'i. It is one of the trees initially used by native Hawaiians for critical construction applications such as tools, and wear-strips along the gunwales of canoes. Read more Its modern applications are typically in flooring, furniture and cabinetry. It is the most common endemic tree in the state, can be a major component of mixed forest stands, and is one of the very first trees able to take root on new lava fields. The tree is present in shapes ranging from shrubs to 100 feet in height. The wood ranges in color from pale brown to a dark reddish brown. It is fine grained, very hard, strong, and dense (specific gravity .70) In furniture and cabinetry applications, 'Ohi'a is nearly indestructible. However, great care and experience must be brought to bear in the seasoning of this notoriously unstable wood. Show less |
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SWIETENIA MAHOGANI — Cuban mahogany is the first discovered species of mahogany. It was introduced to Hawai'i in the early 1900s, and is widely planted in both public and private forest stands. It has been used in various locations as a stately street tree. Read more The tree grows to 60 feet in height and 4 feet in diameter. The heartwood is reddish, pinkish, or yellowish when cut, gradually turning a dark red brown. It is moderately hard, heavy (specific gravity .7-.8) and strong. Roots and stumps of large trees are prized for their strong figure. Show less |
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OTHER HAWAIIAN WOODS
I have some in veneer only- please call for availability; we do not supply lumber or other forms of these woods.
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CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM — Kamani grows near the seashore, and reaches heights of 40 to 60 feet, diameters up to 36 inches. The heartwood is reddish brown, with a moderate density (specific gravity .6). It was traditionally used for bowls. The wood is lustrous and the interlocking grain shows a dramatic braided ribbon stripe on the quartersawn face. Read more It is relatively difficult to work because of the interlocked grain, but very fine cabinetry has been made from it. The doors on the main floor of 'Iolani Place have panels of Kamani veneer. Show less |
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THESPESIA POPULNEA — Milo is a medium-sized lowland tree attaining 30 feet in height, with a trunk diameter of 8 to 20 inches. This slow-growing, taste-free and insect-resistant wood has been used historically by native Hawaiians in the making of food containers and in boat building. It has light brown sapwood, clearly defined from the reddish/chocolate brown heartwood. Read more The stable wood is moderately heavy (specific gravity .6), is easy to work and takes a very high polish. Because of the high value of the beachside real estate milo thrives on, it is not currently planted in commercial quantities. Show less |
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SAMANEA SAMAN — Ohai is Commonly planted for shade and wood. A beautiful shade tree, introduced to Hawaii in 1847, with large trunk and very broad arched crown of dense foliage. Trees can achieve heights of 50-75 feet, with a relatively short trunk of 2-4 feet in diameter. Read more Sapwood of the monkey pod is yellowish and the heartwood dark chocolate brown to golden brown with darker streaks. The wood is moderately hard, lightweight and fairly strong. Monkey pod is resistant to decay and drywood termites. The wood shrinks very little and takes a finish beautifully, thus making great looking furniture and bowls. Show less |
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GREVILLEA ROBUSTA — Silk-oak, commonly called "silky oak", was introduced for shade, ornament and reforestation. It may reach 70 feet in height with a diameter of up to 3 feet. The wood was traditionally referred to as "lacewood" in its native Australia, and is now scarce there. It is moderately dense (specific gravity .57). Read more The heartwood is initially pale pinkish brown, with strong medullary rays on the quartersawn face resembling those characteristic to oak. Flat-sawing of the lumber produces a less dramatic but attractive "fish scale" figure. In time, the wood seasons to a lustrous golden color. This open-grained wood finishes well. The tree grows up to an elevation of 4,000 feet, and is naturalized on diverse private and state forest lands. Show less |
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CRYPTOMERIA JAPONICA — Sugi, often called Sugi pine, is an aromatic softwood native to Japan. The sapwood is white or yellow, with reddish brown heartwood. The wood is light (specific gravity .41). It has strength properties similar to western red cedar, and is suitable for aromatic drawer linings. Read more It has traditionally been one of the most important timbers of Japan, and was planted by the Hawai'i Division of Forestry between 1910 and 1960. Use of Sugi in decorative items is growing. Show less |
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TOONA CILIATA — Toon was introduced in 1918 for plantation use. It grows to 50 feet tall and reaches over two feet in diameter. The wood is very lightweight (specific gravity .35), and is reddish brown. The tree is also called "Australian red cedar", because of the strong aromatic cedar scent of the wood. Read more It carves and turns particularly well. There are several stands in Hawai'i forest plantations. Show less |