Hey everyone! I'm visiting Oahu for vacation and I'm really interested in picking up some local Koa wood for a ukulele project I have in mind. Can anyone point me to a good place to buy some smaller pieces of lumber? I'm not looking to harvest anything myself, just want a legit lumber yard that sells Koa. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
You could try searching for hardwood suppliers on Oahu through Google. My mom used to bring back Koa all the time when she visited. She always took an extra suitcase just for the wood! Just be mindful of the local guidelines about taking wood, as they can be pretty strict.
It's super important to be respectful of local customs. Some locals might get upset if they see you taking anything from nature, even small things like pebbles. If you're specifically looking for a lumber yard, keep in mind that a lot of what they sell might not actually be sourced locally, since Hawaii has limited natural resources.
I don't have specific recommendations for Oahu, but I would definitely make sure you're looking for lumber or hardwood stores. Just a heads-up, don’t try to collect wood from nature—it can get you into trouble! When I was on the Big Island, I found this awesome shop and managed to bring back some Koa pieces. Just make sure to let them acclimate before you start working with them.