Hawaii|Mokuʻāina o Hawaiʻi

Koa Wood

History of Kukui tree

Kukui is a tree that is commonly found in Hawaii. Kukui trees can grow to 35 or 50 feet and spread nearly as wide. They will thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Several factors recommend using the shade of the kukui tree to unobstructed advantage. Since the tree produces nuts or seeds that may cause litter in bedding plants, it is best to use them for shade in a seating or picnic area. Their surface roots can get large and the branches are brittle and break easily, also falling to the ground below. Natives say all parts of the tree can be useful and utilized for many purposes, from the leaves, to flowers, to fruits and nuts and even to roots.

Leaves also fall year round but can be used as part of a mulch or compost mix. For best access and to reduce unnecessary maintenance, avoid planting small bedding plants at the base. The light wood of the trunk has been used for canoes and for fishing floats. The inner bark makes a reddish brown dye that is used for tapa cloth dyeing and the burned seeds are useful for tattoo coloring. The leaves and the lightly fragrant white flowers are often used in lei, as are the inch-round nuts or seeds. The hard nuts are sometimes rough sanded revealing the natural grooves and gray or brown coloration.

Today they are frequently polished to a black patina to make beautiful necklaces and bracelets. History has it that Kukui was brought in to Hawaii thousands of years go by Polynesian travelers, who cruised to establish trading relations. The ancient voyagers brought along with their canoes products and plants that could be of great aid and benefits to them and to the people they would trade with. Now, there are still just a few skin care companies focusing at Kukui as an organic skin care ingredient. Those few are able to produce organic skin care products that make skin smooth, clear and glowing.

Kukui Nut Tree

The kukui nut oil was not only used on handmade bowls, but also on Koa tree canoes, and surfboards. The kukui nut oil was also used to make the koa wood canoes and surfboards waterproof. The nuts and oil of the kukui can be toxic in large doses but small amounts provide a pleasant taste treat to culinary endeavors.

About the Author

Juliet Cohen writes articles for Free Home Remedies. She also writes articles for beauty tips and women hairstyles.

Can anyone tell me about koa wood for guitars?

I'm looking to buy a koa accoustic because I have heard they sound a lot like aged mahogony. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

The extent of my knowledge -

It comes from Hawaii (at least that's the biggest source that I know of). It sounds very similar to mahogany. It's expensive. And it's endangered, or rare, or something like that.

The acoustic guitar I played that was made of koa was very warm and deep, with much less treble than I am used to. I wasn't sure how much I liked it, it wasn't the sound I was looking for at the time, though.

Saul

Rayco Koa Wood Resonator Guitar

Tags: koa, koa wood, koa wood frames, koa wood furniture, koa wood jewelry, koa wood rings, surf, surfboard, surfing, wood

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 10th, 2010 at 11:42 pm and is filed under Hawaii. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.