Color
The heartwood ranges from pale pinkish-brown to rich reddish-brown. Exposure to light and age can deepen its natural color.
What is Hawaiian Cuban Mahogany?
Premium Hawaiian-Grown Hardwood
Hawaiian Cuban Mahogany
Swietenia mahagoni
Fine texture, rich reddish-brown color, and excellent workability. Discover traditional Cuban Mahogany grown on Hawaii Island, a distinctive hardwood for musical instruments, fine furniture, and specialty woodworking.
01
What Is Hawaiian Cuban Mahogany?
Origin & Botanical Information
Hawaiian Cuban Mahogany refers to Cuban Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) grown in Hawaii. The species is native to the Caribbean and southern Florida and belongs to the mahogany family, Meliaceae.
Also known as West Indian Mahogany, Cuban Mahogany has a long history of use in fine furniture, cabinetry, decorative woodworking, and musical instruments.
The species has also been introduced and planted in Hawaii. At Maikai Wood Hawaii, we offer Hawaiian-grown Cuban Mahogany for instrument makers and woodworkers.
- Common Name
- Hawaiian Cuban Mahogany
- Other Names
- Cuban Mahogany / West Indian Mahogany
- Scientific Name
- Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq.
- Family
- Meliaceae (Mahogany Family)
- Native Range
- Caribbean and southern Florida
- Wood Origin
- Hawaii Island, State of Hawaii, USA
- Average Dried Weight
- Approximately 600 kg/m³ (reference value; varies by specimen)
- Common Uses
- Guitars, ukuleles, furniture, and decorative woodworking
02
Wood Characteristics
Color, Grain & Workability
Grain & Texture
Cuban Mahogany typically has a relatively fine, even texture. The grain may be straight, interlocked, or wavy, occasionally producing decorative figure.
Density & Strength
A moderately dense hardwood offering a useful balance of strength and workability for furniture and musical instrument making.
Workability
Generally well suited to cutting, shaping, sanding, gluing, and finishing. Interlocked grain and highly figured areas may require additional care.
03
Rarity & Historical Significance
Heritage & Conservation
Cuban Mahogany has been highly regarded for centuries because of its attractive color, dimensional stability, and excellent working properties.
Historically used in fine furniture and decorative woodworking, the species experienced extensive harvesting within parts of its native range. Conservation and responsible sourcing remain important considerations.
Hawaiian-grown Cuban Mahogany comes from trees growing outside the species' natural range. Available quantities and dimensions depend on the individual trees and timber supply.
CITES & International Trade
Swietenia mahagoni is listed under CITES Appendix II. Annotation #5 covers logs, sawn wood, and veneer sheets, including applicable material originating outside its native range.
International shipments involving regulated material may require permits or other documentation. Requirements depend on the product, destination, and applicable import and export rules.
04
Mahogany as a Tonewood
Musical Instrument Applications
Cuban Mahogany belongs to the traditional mahogany genus Swietenia, valued for its applications in guitar and ukulele construction.
Mahogany instruments are often described as producing a warm, balanced sound with a strong midrange character. These descriptions reflect general playing impressions rather than fixed acoustic properties of the species.
Depending on the dimensions and mechanical properties of each piece, the wood may be suitable for backs, sides, necks, and bodies.
The final tone, volume, response, and sustain of an instrument depend on multiple factors, including wood density, stiffness, thickness, bracing, body construction, and craftsmanship.
No individual timber species alone guarantees a particular acoustic result.
05
Curly Figure & Wood Quality
Natural Figure & Material Selection
Some Hawaiian Cuban Mahogany exhibits attractive curly or wavy grain patterns, in addition to its natural reddish-brown coloration.
These patterns can produce changing highlights and visual depth when viewed from different angles, making figured pieces especially appealing for decorative instrument parts and fine furniture.
When selecting material, important considerations include figure intensity, dimensions, grain orientation, cracks, knots, moisture condition, and suitability for the intended application.
Please refer to individual
product listings for the
assigned grade and actual
material specifications.
Strong curly figure is
primarily a visual
characteristic and does not
guarantee acoustic or
structural performance.
06
Recommended Applications
Instrument Making & Fine Woodworking
Classical & Acoustic Guitars
Backs, sides, necks, and specialty components. Selection should reflect the material's dimensions, stiffness, and instrument design.
Ukuleles
Tops, backs, sides, and necks for suitable instrument designs. Its natural color and grain provide an attractive appearance.
Electric Guitars & Basses
Solid-body components, neck blanks, and decorative tops, depending on the material's condition and dimensions.
Furniture & Fine Woodworking
Fine cabinetry, furniture, decorative veneers, small boxes, turned pieces, and custom woodworking.
07
Working, Drying & Storage
Workshop Considerations
Cuban Mahogany is generally regarded as a workable hardwood suitable for cutting, shaping, sanding, gluing, and finishing.
However, interlocked grain or pronounced curly figure may increase the risk of tear-out or chipping during machining.
Sharp cutting tools and controlled cutting passes are recommended when working with highly figured material.
For precision applications such as instrument making, check moisture content and dimensional stability before final machining. Allow the wood to acclimate to the workshop environment.
Store lumber away from direct sunlight and rapid temperature or humidity fluctuations to reduce the risk of warping and checking.
Use suitable dust extraction,
ventilation, and protective
equipment when cutting
or sanding wood.
Wood dust may cause
skin or respiratory
irritation in some individuals.
08
A Traditional Hardwood Grown in Hawaii
The Character of Hawaiian Cuban Mahogany
Hawaiian Cuban Mahogany combines the classic appearance and working characteristics of traditional Cuban Mahogany with its identity as a Hawaiian-grown hardwood.
Rich natural colors, attractive grain, and versatile workability make it a material worth considering for guitars, ukuleles, furniture, and specialty woodworking.
At Maikai Wood Hawaii, we appreciate the individual character of every piece and offer carefully selected woods for luthiers, instrument makers, and woodworkers around the world.
