Friend going to Hawiaii

[mavrick1903]

I have a friend going to be in Hawaii for a week. he's offered to bring me "something back". is there a good place to suggest he go? I presume he'll be on the main island (I'll have to check) he's there for a week on business.

I'd also like suggestions as to what wood to bring back. looking for both ends, cheap easy to find, and the "good stuff". I know Koa comes from there, what else? and how is Koa compaired to some of the other offerings?

 

[ElMostro]

Mango and monkey pod lumber also available.

 

[Mudder]

Curly Koa is really nice, as is mango and monkey pod. I'm off to Hawaii in Late October and will be doing the same thing.

 

[LostintheWoods]

Might want to consider Milo and Lychee, as well.

 

[JimGo]

Considering what people around here cast, you can't really go wrong with anything!

 

[panini]

Where in Hawaii are they going...If going to Big Island..get mango, koa, macadamia...If coming to my island, I can spare some koa...

 

[Tom McMillan]

I've been using Hawaiian woods lately to make a lot of my miniatures. Some that I've enjoyed turning are Kou (a rare wood now), Ohia Ai, Hala (looks a little like palm wood, but has lighter coloring), Lychee, Macadamia Nut, Mango, Curly Koa, Spalted Cinnamon, Naio, Milo, Avocado, Banyan, and Bloodwood (what I have is a lighter color than the Dark Bloodwoods).

 

[gketell]

How about Keawe? I think it is Hawaiian Hickory.

 

[Gary Max]

I would look for a Furniture repair shop or hunt for a woodworker. Their scraps would be the right price and size.

 

[GoodTurns]

I have been using Milo lately with really nice results, colors inside can be fantastic...pinks, purples, browns and blacks...just about any of the Hawaiian woods are nice...not likely to be unhappy with any of the others in previous posts.

 

[mavrick1903]

Awesome folks. thanks. My friend is not a wood worker at all. he's a computer guy. again, presuming main island, is there anyplace that he should go to specificly?

also, here's the list from the suggestions. is anything more desireable than others? I know I've seen Bloodwood, and Koa locally. price might be better, but I'd like to shoot for stuff that's hard to find here, and not hard in Hawaii. anyone want to try to prioritize the list?

Koa
Curly Koa
Mango
Curly Mango
Milo
Lychee
Monkey Pod
Macadamia
Kou
Ohia Ai
Hala
Spalted Cinnamon
Naio
Milo
Avocado
Banyan
Bloodwood


EDIT: He'll be on Oahu

 

[jthompson1995]

I've also gotten some sandalwood and chocolate albizia from Hawaii that look really nice, but i haven't gotten to turn yet.

 

[panini]

Keawe wood is more like mesquite...very hard

 

[GoodTurns]

I have bought several times from Joel Lawson, (woodworker from Hawaii). He does mostly boxes and flatwork so has lots of cutoffs of every type you can think of (EBAY ID EGANLAW). His email is dawoodshop@hawaii.rr.com. I'm not sure what island, but he has great stuff.