Hawaii’s precious and unique ecosystem is home to a variety of native and endemic trees that produces some of the finest pieces of furniture and decorative objects in the world.
In this post, we’ll cover 6 important native Hawaiian woods prized for their beauty and versatility, including 2 endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Enjoy!
Koa
Koa is Hawaii’s largest and most famous endemic hardwood, and it’s found only in Hawaii. Koa is a fast-growing species, reaching heights of 100 feet with trunk diameters of 5 feet or more.
Koa is loved for its captivating grain patterns and warm rich tones and multicolored hues, which range from golden to dark brown. With properties similar to black walnut, Koa is moderately heavy, stable, and finishes beautifully.
Deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, koa wood has been used traditionally for outrigger canoes and even surfboards. Now it’s used for fine furniture, musical instruments, and high-end woodworking.
Thankfully, sustainable koa farming has made it possible to meet demand while protecting wild populations.
ʻŌhiʻa lehua
ʻŌhiʻa lehua is Hawaii’s most common endemic tree, and usually the first new growth you’ll see on new lava fields.
ʻŌhiʻa wood was historically used by native Hawaiians for tools and wear-strips along the gunwales of canoes. Today, ʻōhiʻa is used in flooring, cabinetry, and furniture. The wood is very hard — nearly indestructible, you could say — and ranges in rich, medium reddish-brown colors.
Harvesting is now limited to protect the species and the ecosystems it supports. The wood is dense and durable, but conservation takes priority over utilization.
Niu (coconut palm)
Niu is an central part of Hawaiian culture and construction, although it’s not a traditional hardwood.
Coconut wood is resistant to saltwater, making it great for any structures built near the coast. The entire tree is used in various applications, from building to crafts.
Kamani
Kamani wood is prized for its rich, reddish-brown color and straight grain, not to mention its resistance to saltwater — excellent for maritime applications. It’s also commonly used to make bowls due to its lack of odor or taste.
A slow-growing tree, Kamani is found near the shoreline and in lowland forests, reaching up to 60 feet high with dense foliage and rough grey bark. It is considered sacred in parts of Polynesia, and often planted near temples.
Kamani also has various medicinal uses. Its fruit was used to make brown dye for tapa cloth, oil used for lighting, and massage.
Milo
Milo wood is known for its beautiful grain and color variations, ranging from light tan to deep brown to a sometimes vibrant purple tone in both its sapwood and heartwood.
Historically, milo wood was used for boat building and food containers. Now it’s used to make bowls, calabashes, furniture, and decorative items. Milo is easy to work with and polishes up real nice.
You can find milo growing in Hawaii’s lowland areas, near the coast. The tree reaches up to 30 feet in height. It’s slow-growing and resistant to insects.
Neneleau (Hawaiian sumac)
Neneleau wood is hard and durable yet lightweight, making it good for applications requiring strength. It has been used for saddle trees on Hawaiian ranches, and once used as ox yokes and plows. Now neneleau is used for small decorative items.
The wood coloring ranges from light tan to yellowish gray, with dark resinous streaks throughout.
Its use in modern woodworking is limited due to its scarcity and the priority placed on conservation.
Image credits: Special mahalo to Kamuela Hardwoods in Waimea on Hawai’i Island for providing expertise and images for this blog post.
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