
We specialize in furniture and home décor made with rare Koa wood and other Hawaii grown woods.
Our handmade products will become a family keepsake that you will proudly pass down to the next generation.
The only similarity between a product from a big box store and a handcrafted product is they both perform the same need but that's about it.
When comparing true handcrafted product with the pieces you find in a big box store, some people see the different in price and they can’t understand how a handcrafted product could cost so much.
So why are handcrafted products so expensive?
North Shore Koa Designs creates a wide range of items: Headboards, Nightstands, Coffee tables, End table, Kitchen table, Foyer tables, Desks, Jewelry boxes, Clocks, Napkin holders, decorative wall art, and seasonal products. Most items are made with Hawaii grown Koa wood but other products have been made out of Monkey Pod, Eucalyptus, M
North Shore Koa Designs creates a wide range of items: Headboards, Nightstands, Coffee tables, End table, Kitchen table, Foyer tables, Desks, Jewelry boxes, Clocks, Napkin holders, decorative wall art, and seasonal products. Most items are made with Hawaii grown Koa wood but other products have been made out of Monkey Pod, Eucalyptus, Mellow, Mango, Walnut, Beech and Mahogany. The combination of different woods are often selected for contrasting wood color and grain. More often than not, it is the combination of woods that enhances the beauty of Koa.
Computer assisted equipment such as the machine called Computer Numerical Control (CNC), is never used to make any item. Although power tools directed by David are used, he also uses a hand planer, hammer, and chisel to create Koa items. All fine sanding and finishes are done by hand.
Within the gallery you will find a pictures of products made by North Shore Koa Designs as well as pictures of custom ordered furniture. Due to the scarcity of Koa wood, orders must be placed well in advance; Furniture designs may not be possible due to the availability of the size of boards needed.
The Koa tree is rare and endemic to Hawaii.
The wood is harvested only from trees that have decayed or have fallen due to natural causes.
Koa wood is known for its deep, rich colors and interlocking grain – which causes curly figuring.
This extremely strong hardwood is revered and prestigious to Hawaiians.
Historically, Koa wood was used for
The Koa tree is rare and endemic to Hawaii.
The wood is harvested only from trees that have decayed or have fallen due to natural causes.
Koa wood is known for its deep, rich colors and interlocking grain – which causes curly figuring.
This extremely strong hardwood is revered and prestigious to Hawaiians.
Historically, Koa wood was used for canoes, paddles, weapons, and furniture belonging to the Hawaiian royalty.
Premium Curly Koa lumber can cost $150-$200/board foot. Prices are increasing as the wood becomes scarce.
Although its population is stable, Koa trees are considered to be an endangered species. North Shore Koa Designs purchases their Koa wood from a ranch on the Big Island, The Koa Wood Ranch. A portion of all proceeds goes directly to the reforestation activities done by The Koa Wood Ranch.
As a husband and wife team, David and Sharlene reside on Kauai's North Shore. Their garage is David's workshop where he makes all of their products. His passion for woodworking began in high school wood shop class. Throughout his life he has refined his craft to the point that friends and relatives began asking for specific items to pur
As a husband and wife team, David and Sharlene reside on Kauai's North Shore. Their garage is David's workshop where he makes all of their products. His passion for woodworking began in high school wood shop class. Throughout his life he has refined his craft to the point that friends and relatives began asking for specific items to purchase.
Throughout her life, Sharlene has developed her ability to design and create things. Seeing her ideas come to fruition with David's woodworking skills, has given her a sense of satisfaction and pride. She modifies or adds features to her designs to fulfill a buyer's vision of an end product. By doing so, most final pieces become heirlooms for the buyer - the rarity of Koa wood and the time spent working on an item is a value that cannot be measured. Without saying, products made by David and Sharlene are indeed one of the kind items that can not be found in stores.
David has been on Kauai's north shore for over 12 years. Sharlene was born and raised in Hawaii. After 24 years of being an elementary school teacher, Sharlene is retired and devotes her time to designing new Koa wood products. David is a retired software analyst / programmer, a career that spanned 39 years.
Send David and Sharlene an email if you have ideas on something you would like crafted. They are a team that welcomes a challenge.
Describes wood grain that runs in one direction. It has little waving or curl, the grains are mostly parallel.
Describes a wood grain that has been compressed and produces alternate stripes perpendicular to the face of the wood. This compression creates the visual illusion of a three-dimension surface. This is Koa’s most desirable characteristic.
Is similar to curly in the sense that compression and other factors cause a desirable looking effect. Unlike curly, however, it is not necessarily perpendicular to the surface. It may contain uneven twists and unpredictable turns in the grain.
Our source for this information is the Koa Wood Ranch: https://koawoodranch.com
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