Paintings by Joel
| July 16, 2007 |
Information Regarding Koa Wood
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Koa is the Hawaiian word for "strength" or "warrior". On the mainland, it is
one of the lesser-known treasures of the Hawaiian Islands, but it has a rich
history and is very much appreciated by those living in Hawaii.
Koa is in the Acacia family, but this particular species only grows in the
Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii's endemic Acacia Koa exists naturally nowhere
else in the world.
The majestic Koa tree takes 50 or more years to mature, growing up to
120 feet and six or seven feet in diameter. It grows best along the slopes
of the mountains at an elevation from 3,000' to approx. 6,000'. Nearly all
of the trees that remain on the islands today are on the Big Island, Hawaii.
They sprout out of old lava fields. The dark volcanic soil is responsible for
the wood's trademark deep tones. The color and grain of Koa varies
greatly from tree to tree; but, it always has a beautiful grain often
patterned with darker colored bands. The color of the wood ranges from
blonde to light brown to deep chocolate brown to the most common deep
reddish brown color. The most coveted grain of koa is curly and wavy,
which gives an almost three-dimensional effect. Koa feels very hard and
heavy, similar to walnut. It seasons well without warping or splitting.
Perhaps these are the reasons why it was historically the chosen material
for carved ocean-going Hawaiian canoes.
| Click Tabs Above For More Pages |