Koa wood

Question

I have a list of lumber yards and mills that sell koa wood.

But does anyone have any first hand experience where I might find a good selection and reasonable prices?

Mahalo

Answer

Mahalo — great question. Koa is lovely but can be pricey and variable in quality, so shopping in person (or buying from reputable local sellers) really helps. On the Island of Hawaii you have a few solid options for selection and service, plus several ways to find better prices if you’re willing to hunt a bit.

Local sellers and mills to check first (good selection; call ahead to confirm stock and grading):

Aloha Woods / Aloha Hardwoods — a Big Island-based supplier that lists Hawaiian-grown koa and other island species; good when you want a range of figured pieces and slabs.
Big Island Koa Company — advertises a very large inventory of koa lumber (wide range of grades and sizes); worth calling for larger projects or particular figured cuts.
Hawaiian Koa Company — a specialty koa supplier that sells kiln- and air-dried lumber and often carries blanks for luthiers and fine woodworking.
Specialty tonewood / wholesale vendors (e.g., Winkler Woods, KoaWoodWorks) — great if you need guitar/ukulele-grade tonewood or nicely milled dimensional pieces. These vendors may be off-island or Oʻahu-based but often ship or have retail contacts.

If you want better-than-retail prices, try these approaches:

Buy directly from small local mills or sawyers (cutting and milling locally reduces middleman markup). Many smaller operators don’t advertise widely — call local woodworking groups or check community forums. (Trip reports and forum threads show folks recommending smaller Big Island mills.)
Look for reclaimed or older stock (vintage/“saved” koa) — sometimes sold by specialty dealers and can be more affordable or offer unique figured pieces. Sellers like Cookwoods and some specialty dealers advertise reclaimed or vintage stocks.
Monitor local marketplaces — Facebook groups, Craigslist, and woodworking forums around Hilo/Kona often have bowl blanks, off-cuts, or boards sold by hobbyists at lower prices.

What to look for when inspecting koa (so you get value for money):

Figure & grade — curly, quilted, and high-figure koa commands a premium. Decide whether appearance (figure) or plain boards for structural use matters more for your project.
Moisture content — ask if the wood is kiln-dried or air-dried and what the MC (moisture content) is; stabilized/kiln-dried stock reduces movement and checking after milling.
Defects & checks — check both faces and ends for cracks, large knots, or worm/tunnel damage; these affect usable board feet and price.
Provenance & legality — koa from private, sustainably harvested trees or reclaimed wood is preferred; ask about source and whether harvest/logging complied with local rules. The Koa supply is limited by regulations, so reputable sellers will explain sourcing.

Practical tips for buying on the Big Island:

Call ahead with specifics (board feet, thickness, length, desired figure) so the seller can reserve pieces or tell you what’s available — koa moves fast and figured pieces sell quickly.
If you’re shipping off-island or bringing pieces home, check USDA/DOA rules and any paperwork required — receipts and source info help with inspections.
Bring a tape measure and a small moisture meter (or ask the seller to measure MC) and factor in shipping/packing costs when comparing prices to mainland vendors.
If budget is a concern, ask for seconds, flats, or offcuts — good for smaller projects and often sold at big discounts. Also ask about end-of-day discounts or bulk pricing if you’re buying many board feet.

Where locals report finding the best value: a mix of small Big Island mills, specialty koa dealers, and private sales. If you want me to check current stock levels or call up a few specific vendors (Aloha Woods, Big Island Koa Company, Hawaiian Koa Company) and summarize what they list online right now, I can look them up and pull the most recent contact or inventory notes for you.

Good luck — mahalo for supporting local Hawaiian woods and crafts!