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Some beautiful Koa
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Author:  Roy O [ Tue Apr 19, 2005 7:07 am ]
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My wife and I spent a week at the Volcano National Park in Hawaii a while back. While there we took a hike through "Bird Park". It's a really a beautiful hike w/ lots of old Koa and Ohia trees.

Here's two photos from that hike. The first one is of a Koa tree the feel down across the path during a recent storm. The park service cut the tree enough to clear the path but it's our understanding that they let fallen trees rot instead of removing them. This one was about three feet in diameter. That's me in the picture crying over the thought of all that Koa rotting away.

The second photo is of a Koa stand. To give an idea of their size I had my wife stand near one (bottom and slightly to the left of center).

If you ever get a chance to visit the park I highly recommend this hike. It's a great hike.



Author:  John How [ Tue Apr 19, 2005 7:33 am ]
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I'm crying too
Author:  Dennis E. [ Tue Apr 19, 2005 1:10 pm ]
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It does seem shame to leave it there to rot, but I guess that serves a purpose, too.

Now, that tree may be out of reach, but you may want to check with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)to see if any salvage permits are being granted.

According to a report I just read, the Board of Land and Natural Resources there in Hawaii were discussing some proposed new rules in their meeting last fall that would allow some limited salvage logging.

You can read the report here. You have to scroll down to the second headline to get to the interesting part.

Beautiful forest, by the way — lucky you!

Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Tue Apr 19, 2005 1:16 pm ]
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The Kinnaird bro's vacationed in Canada last summer where we saw huge blow down Sitkas. Paths were cut through the monsterous trees with the clear intention to leave them right where they fell. Several lifetimes worth of guitar tops going to the bugs....
Author:  Matt Gage [ Tue Apr 19, 2005 9:56 pm ]
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aloha Roy,   I remember doing some hiking in there,possibly the same trail but I dont remember where I was exactly.

i was not yet a guitar builder back in `84 when i was there, and now I realize that it is a good thing. it is really tough to walk away from that koa tree im sure.

Ohia trees, are those the ones with all the big thorns, that the missinaries planted to make the natives wear shoes?

I miss the big island a lot, and I hope to return some day soon.

Matt
Author:  Roy O [ Wed Apr 20, 2005 2:37 am ]
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Thanks for the link Dennis. I don't think I'll be doing any salvage work though as I've got a full plate as it is (my wife would say too full).

Have you started your ukulele yet?
Author:  Roy O [ Wed Apr 20, 2005 2:47 am ]
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Hi Matt,

I'm not sure which trees have the big thorns on them but it's not the Ohia trees.

Ohia is a really tough wood. Supposeidly the mainland railroads used it for their ties back in the late 1800's when the railroad was expanding across the continent. It makes a nice sounding ukulele but it's hard wood that really beats up your tools.

I'd love to meet you if you ever make it out this way again. You'd be surprised though, Kona has really grown in the last 6 years or so.
Author:  Dennis E. [ Thu Apr 21, 2005 1:39 pm ]
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Hey Roy, actually I have got it underway. Thanks for asking! Progress has been agonizingly slow thanks to an seemingly endless stream of "projects."

I call it my "ugly duckling." You'll see why if it's finished.
Author:  Roy O [ Thu Apr 21, 2005 4:55 pm ]
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[QUOTE=Dennis E.]I call it my "ugly duckling." You'll see why if it's finished.[/QUOTE]

I'd love to see it when it's finished.
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