Koa - Acacia Koa

Probably the most ancient tree species on our islands (millions of years), Koa has long been recognized as a high quality wood prized for its hardness, strength, straight bole, and close beautiful grain which would not warp even after years in sea water.  These characteristics led to its primary use as the much preferred material for canoe building, an enterprise crucial to Polynesian survival..

Koa's use was restricted to royalty and each step in the canoe-making process was overseen by canoe-making priests.  Koa was also used for the huge (by today's standards), heavy surfboards of royalty.    Duke Kahanamoku, widely recognized as the "Father of Modern Surfing", also used these Koa surfboards.  Other uses included canoe paddles, dyes from the bark, and medicines from the leaves.   Early Portuguese made the first, and still the best, ukuleles from carefully selected Koa.

Koa was valuable and thus was considered suitable payment for taxes, as gifts, and for sacrifice.  It was associated with wealth and well-being and the trees were recognized as long-lived monarchs of the forests - characteristics naturally imparted to people through association with and possession of the wood.

Today, Koa is known as the "Mahogany of the Hawaiian Islands" and can be seen as woodwork and furniture in Hawaii palaces, and some of the finer hotels and restaurants.  Its golden-reddish-brown grain is revered.Koa is at a premium because the large tracts of Koa forests which covered much of the upper slopes of the islands, have fallen victim to the ravages of cattle and their unchecked grazing.

Reforestation of Koa stands has  been an ongoing project of thee Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate and various other land owners.    With Careful planning and thoughtful legislation, this invaluable Hawaiian resource will live on into perpetuity.

E ola Koa... let him live, with the health, wealth and well-being of a Koa Tree!

We often use a Koa bowl and a Ti leaf to bless the rings during a wedding ceremony.  The bowl is available to purchase as a keepsake.  Prices vary according to the size and shape of the bowl.

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