Koa wood
Koa wood is native to Hawaii and known for its deep rich colors and varied grain patterns. Koa trees grow mainly on the Big Island but also in Kauai, Maui and somewhat in Oahu. Koa wood is highly sought after because of its beauty and historical background in Hawaiian heritage.
Where do koa trees grow?
Koa trees usually grow at high elevations 300–7,500 feet (90 - 2280 meters). Koa is typically a large tree with a height of 49–82 feet (15–25 meters) and a spread of 20–39 feet (6–12 meters).
Koa wood is precious
Koa wood is highly regarded and it is so precious because it can only be found in Hawaii. Its beauty and rarity make koa among the most expensive woods in the world. Koa wood starts at around $40 per board feet and can go up to $200 board feet for rare large slabs. To give you a comparison, dimensional walnut lumber goes for about $13 per board feet in Hawaii (less on the mainland US).
Koa wood in Hawaiian heritage
Koa played a big role in Hawaiian heritage and so it is regarded as a sacred wood. Many do not know that koa means brave, bold, fearless, or warrior in the Hawaiian language. King Kamehameha and his warriors built canoes and weapons from koa wood. When King Kamehameha united all the Hawaiian islands in the late 1700’s, it is said that koa wood played a significant role in the king’s quest to bring all the islands together.
Koa was reserved for Hawaiian royalty
Koa was so highly regarded that for a very long time in Hawaiian history, only the Hawaiian monarchs and those of royalty could possess koa wood. However, after the King Kamehameha’s death in 1819, all Hawaiians were allowed to possess koa wood.
Koa trees are not endangered
Many think that koa is extinct and we are often asked whether koa is close to extinct. However, koa is not an endangered species, and is far from extinct. Koa certainly continues to grow on all Hawaiian Islands.
Koa harvested from the Big Island comes from trees that are causing danger to a nearby property or from dead or fallen trees. The State of Hawaii and landowners are strict about harvesting koa trees.