The wood is still very much prized in wood craft and is high in demand, being one of the most expensive woods in the world. Nothing is farther from the truth. The species Acacia Koa… A: No. Tigerwood (Brazilian Koa) Tigerwood is a bold species with an orange/reddish brown background with wide dark brownish black striping, which we liken to the striping found in “vanilla fudge” ice cream. This will connect local nurseries to landscape architects and home growers to promote the use and understanding of local native plants. Some people wrongly assume that Koa is an endangered wood. Hawaiian Wood Pictures. Koa is not endangered, however there are very strict laws on the harvesting of natural lumber. Concerned people sometimes ask, “Is Koa wood endangered, or even extinct?” The answer is a resounding “NO.” Koa wood is not and has never been on any endangered species list. Koa has never been on any endangered list. The species Acacia Koa… For trade involving the CITES-listed commodities (e.g., logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets) of the previously listed species/populations, any pre-Convention date will be determined by the earliest listing date of the species or population in the CITES Appendices, as outlined in our November 17 letter. Koa wood is endemic to Hawaii, meaning that is the only place in the world you can find it. Scientists and environmental activists often refer to Hawaii as the “Endangered Species Capital of the World”. Tonewoods on guitar refers to the wood that is used to assemble a guitar. Concerned people sometimes ask, “Is Koa wood endangered, or even extinct?” The answer is a resounding “NO.” Koa wood is not and has never been on any endangered species list. Koa. Koa Wood From Hawaii. The primary reason this statement is true is that Hawaii is the most isolated … Eventually, Koa wood became highly revered as the wood of the Hawaiian monarchs. Koa is also a tonewood and used in modern musical instruments such as ʻukulele, acoustic guitars, some electric guitars, and Weissenborn-style Hawaiian steel or lap guitars. However, Hawaiian legislation restricts koa harvesting. Koa trees are not endangered. Koa is NOT endangered and never has been. Falling between rosewood and mahogany is koa—a tonewood Martin first used on guitars in 1917, as a craze for all things Hawaiian swept across America. Koa is native to Hawaii and is used commonly on ukuleles, but less so on guitars. Q: Is koa an “endangered” wood? Martin & MacArthur uses Koa wood from dead and fallen trees to make its Koa wood watches. Native to the Big Island of Hawaii, the Koa wood and Ti leaf ring blessing has a lovely meaning, and is beautiful in its simplicity. The biggest threat to Koa in Hawaii appears to be overgrazing of cattle. The large forest koa is well known around the world for the beautiful hard wood. Click here for a larger detail of the Koa photo. It can tolerate soil acidity. But these trees are now rare and the wood is seldom seen in wood … (The present industry in Hawaii would need to grow less than 6,000 acres on a sustainable basis.) However, after the King Kamehameha’s death in 1819, all Hawaiians were allowed to possess koa wood. It’s prized for its rich golden coloring, curly figuring, and agreeable sound. In my opinion, no other wood has closer emotional ties to its geography of origin. Koa's smaller cousin, koaiʻa, that once grew in the lowlands of most of the main Hawaiian Islands, has an even harder wood that is much prized for its gnarled grain. However, figured wood, or pieces with heavily interlocked grain can be difficult to plane or machine without tearing or chipping of the grain; also, Koa can occasionally give problems in gluing, though this is somewhat uncommon. Koa wood for the ancient Hawaiians was so highly regarded that is was ... Koa has never been regarded as an endangered species, and it is certainly far from extinct. Not only is this amazing wood native to Hawaii but it is known for the deep rich colors and varied grain pattern. Koa Wood is legendary in Hawaii. Koa wood is the beautiful wood that grows only in Hawaii. Acacia koa is a native Hawaiian tree in the pea family (Fabaceae [Leguminosae]), as pointed out by my fellow Quorans. As best we can tell, it is not classified as endangered. Koa turns, stains, and finishes well. Native to the Big Island of Hawaii, the Koa wood and Ti leaf ring blessing has a lovely meaning, and is beautiful in its simplicity. Koa wood is endemic to Hawaii. Eventually, Koa wood became highly revered as the wood of the Hawaiian monarchs. Many evolved species are unique to the island chain. Koa is a treasured and valuable hardwood that represents integrity and strength, which are foundational qualities of a marriage. There is more Koa growing in the Hawaiian Islands today compared to ten years ago. Accordingly, it is not considered endangered. In fact, today there is more Koa growing on the Big Island than in the past ten years. All of our figured wood comes from the stumps of dead or dying trees, havested legally on private land. Due to self-management and the partnership of private and State interests, there is more koa growing in … There is more Koa growing in the Hawaiian Islands today compared to ten years ago. There are presently over 20,000 acres being grown commercially. Currently koa stumpage ranges from $2000 to $3000 per mbf, and select koa lumber sells for $30 per board foot and up.