Hawaiian Koa 4A Curly Wood – Suitable for Soprano Ukulele Back & Sides #KOA-920
■ Product Description
Hawaiian Koa 4A Curly
Suitable for Soprano Ukulele Back & Side Material
Item Number: KOA-920
This is a rare 4A (High-Mid Grade) Curly Hawaiian Koa piece featuring the distinctive golden-to-brown natural coloration and beautiful three-dimensional curly figure characteristic of Hawaiian Koa.
The curly figure changes with the viewing angle and light, revealing impressive depth, movement, and natural character across the surface of the wood.
Measuring approximately 24 mm thick, 390 mm long, and 95–120 mm wide, this piece can be resawn and processed into Back and Side material for a Soprano Ukulele.
Its substantial thickness also provides flexibility for custom cutting, allowing the wood to be used for other musical instrument components, small wooden items, fine woodworking, and craft projects depending on your cutting plan.
The wood is sourced directly from suppliers on Hawaii Island and supplied as part of an ongoing reforestation project.
■ Grade
4A (High-Mid Grade) Curly
■ Scientific Name
Acacia koa
■ Size
Approx. 390 × 95–120 × 24 mm
(Length × Width × Thickness)
■ Moisture Content
Approx. 13%
■ Wood Information
Species: Hawaiian Koa
Scientific Name: Acacia koa
Origin: Hawaii Island, State of Hawaii, USA
■ Suitable for Soprano Ukulele Back & Side Material
This piece has dimensions that allow it to be resawn and processed into Back and Side material for a Soprano Ukulele.
The actual number and final dimensions of usable pieces will depend on the saw kerf, cutting orientation, desired finished thickness, and individual instrument design.
Please confirm the dimensions required for your specific Soprano Ukulele design before purchasing.
■ Features
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Rare 4A (High-Mid Grade) Curly Hawaiian Koa
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Can be resawn for Soprano Ukulele Back & Side material
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Approx. 24 mm thick, providing flexibility for custom processing
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Beautiful natural golden-to-brown coloration
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Attractive three-dimensional curly figure
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Suitable for custom cutting and resawing
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Versatile for musical instrument making and fine woodworking
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Directly sourced from Hawaii Island
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Supplied as part of a reforestation project
■ Recommended Uses
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Soprano Ukulele Back
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Soprano Ukulele Sides
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Ukulele construction
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Musical instrument components
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Custom instrument making
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Small custom wooden items
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Fine woodworking and craft projects
A beautiful 4A Curly Hawaiian Koa piece with dimensions suitable for resawing into Soprano Ukulele Back & Side material, as well as a variety of custom instrument-making and fine woodworking applications.
Why Is Everyone Obsessed with Koa?
You may often hear people talk about “Koa,” but what exactly is it?
Hawaiian Koa is one of the most prized and iconic tonewoods in the world, valued for both its beauty and sound quality.
About Hawaiian Koa Wood
Hawaiian Koa (Acacia koa)
Hawaiian Koa is a special wood that has been treasured by the Hawaiian people for hundreds of years.
Historically, it was used to make:
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Outrigger canoes
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Paddles
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Boxes
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Furniture
Today, Hawaiian Koa is highly regarded worldwide as a premium material for musical instruments such as ukuleles and guitars.
It is known as an excellent tonewood, producing a rich, warm, and balanced tone with beautiful visual character.
About Scarcity
Hawaiian Koa has a very limited supply due to extensive logging in the past.
Large-scale reforestation efforts have only begun relatively recently.
As a result, high-quality Hawaiian Koa is becoming increasingly rare every year, especially highly figured material.
About Grading
Grading Information
Our grading system is based on over 50 years of experience handling and supplying tonewood.
It is our own internal quality standard.
In the general market, terms such as “4A” and “5A” are widely used, but grading criteria vary from company to company.
By understanding our grading system, you can be confident that each grade meets a consistent and reliable quality level.
Grade Criteria (Simple)
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1A–2A: No curl to very weak curl
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3A: Medium curl visible at certain angles
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4A: Strong curl visible from any angle
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5A: Master grade with deep, beautiful curl
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5A+: Extremely rare, top-tier figure
Moisture Content & Drying
Our wood comes from naturally fallen trees or logs that have been air-dried in the forest for long periods.
Because of this, some pieces are ready to use, while others may require additional drying.
Hawaiian Koa is known as a wood that dries easily and is resistant to cracking and warping compared to many other tonewoods.
Easy Drying Method
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Place the wood so air can circulate freely
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Store in a well-ventilated area
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Use a fan to circulate air if needed
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Place a light weight on top to reduce movement
For material 20–30 mm thick, the recommended drying period is approximately 2 months in a well-ventilated environment.
Recommended Uses
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Ukulele making
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Knife and tool handles
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Pens, accessories, and inlays
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Box and small craft production
Measurement Notes
Because this is a natural wood product, the following dimensional variations may occur:
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Thickness: ±0.2 mm
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Length: ±5 cm
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Width: ±3 mm
The material is not a perfect rectangular prism, which is a natural characteristic of solid wood.
Please understand this before purchasing or processing.
Detailed information
Tree species: ハワイアンコア
Thickness:
Length:
Width:
Backing:
Number of leaves:
Made to order: KOA-920