Beautiful Hawaiian hardwood now readily available

wavy, interlocking grain pattern. An attractive curly or "fiddleback" figure often results.

Its other features physically and mechanically rank similar to black walnut. Technically, it closely matches walnut's strength, hardness, density, stability, uniformity of shrinkage and easy seasoning; in fact, koa is much less prone to degrade in seasoning than black walnut. Straight-grained koa machines easily, although more figured wood may be somewhat difficult to shape or plane.

As with walnut, koa has traditionally been devoted to uses such as furniture, cabinetry, boardroom and office interiors, architectural woodwork and wood specialty items.

Most koa trees have fluted, often crooked main stems which branch into massive, widely spreading limbs. Due to their age and state of decay, these trees commonly suffer from butt and crotch rot.

Since most of the standing koa is in old, decaying trees, experts estimate that at least half of this resource will die and rot away before it can be harvested. In light of a lack of programs to remove, regenerate and sustain the forests, heavy movements for preservation of the native forests, especially on public lands, have prevailed.

But now, with enterprising forces

Story at a Glance

Hawaii's finest native hardwood boasts strengths of walnut and unmatched beauty of its own... koa's potential ready for development like Sumwood providing a dependable supply of koa, the market is wide open. This is one beauty you'll be seeing a lot more of. Like a piece of fine jewelry, koa grows in value with age. t0UEtY K(lA is being used as wall paneling and moulding in this house shown under construction. Note the varied applications to emphasize the beauty of the grain and the wood's unioue coloration.