Experience the sacred beauty of Hawaii with Hawaiian Koa (Acacia koa) bowl blanks. Known as the "royal wood" of the Hawaiian Islands, Koa was traditionally reserved exclusively for Hawaiian royalty and used for ceremonial canoes, weapons, and artifacts. Today, this legendary endemic hardwood is prized for its stunning medium golden to reddish-brown heartwood with remarkable chatoyance and, in figured pieces, breathtaking curly or flame grain patterns
Specifications
- Wood Name: Koa, Curly Flame Hawaiian Koa
- Botanical Name: Acacia koa
- Length: Available in 4 – 6 inches
- Width: Available in 4 – 6 inches
- Thickness: 2 inches
- Dried: Air Dried
- Moisture Content: 9-15%
Features
- Stunning medium golden to reddish-brown heartwood with remarkable chatoyance
- Figured blanks may exhibit breathtaking curly or flame grain patterns
- Fine, medium texture with slightly interlocked or wavy grain
- Excellent dimensional stability due to balanced shrinkage
- Hawaii's most treasured native hardwood — the "royal wood" of the islands
Workability & Performance
- Good turning properties: Cuts smoothly with sharp tools; sands beautifully
- Figured grain care: Curly or interlocked grain may require light cuts to prevent tear-out
- Polishes to high luster: Takes a beautiful, glossy finish that enhances figure
- Finishing: Natural finish recommended to showcase the wood's innate beauty
- Stability note: T/R ratio of only 1.1 makes Koa quite stable with humidity changes
Notes
- Natural variations in grain, curl, and color make each piece unique.
- Koa fluoresces under UV light — a handy way to verify authenticity.
- Some pieces may have mineral streaks or small inclusions characteristic of the species.
- Please measure each piece carefully before starting any project.
- Dimensions are approximate and may vary by ±⅛".
- Photo is representative; you will receive a similar blank.