Koa
Acacia koa
Hardness
Medium-hard; a versatile range for most furniture.
Overview
Hawaii's signature hardwood, prized by ukulele and guitar builders for its warm color and occasional curly figure.
Commonly built
- Ukuleles
- Guitar bodies
- Bowls
- Small furniture
Appearance
Golden to reddish-brown, often with a wavy or curly figure that shimmers under finish.
Recommended uses
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Machines and finishes well. Curly-figured boards can tear out during planing, use a very sharp blade or scraper on figured sections.
Common questions
How hard is Koa?
Koa has a Janka hardness of 1170 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Koa suitable for outdoor use?
Koa is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Koa to work with?
Koa has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used koa, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.