Anyone from Hawaii?

[Gary DeWitt]

Loml and I will be traveling to Hawaii in October, and I was wondering if any of you live out that way, or know a friendly turner or wood dealer or gallery out that way? Specifically, we'll be on Hawaii, Oahu, Maui 2 days and Kauai 2 days. I'd like to chat with anyone over there who turns, maybe pick up some koa if there's a wood dealer.
Please excuse the drive-by gloat...

[sascha gast]

if you happen to be at whalers village in Kaanapali(sp??), there is a nice gallery that has many turnings, especially pieces from http://www,jkellydunn.com

I was in awe since I like turning translucent NIP bowls

have fun there,

[Thomas Herview]

If you're going to the island of Oahu, go to the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach. There's a shop in the complex operated by Uwe Dost and his wife. Have a look at their turnings. They turn from Koa and Norfolk Pine, native to the Hawaiian Islands. If you're looking to purchase something, take out a loan before you go. It's really worth a look if you're into turning. I was lucky enough to have the oportunity to talk to Mr. & Mrs. Dost, they gave me a few tips.

[Lars Thomas]

Gary, I get my islands confused, so this may or not help you. Take a look at this thread --> http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=37452.

[Joe Melton]

You're going to Hawaii, and you want to spend your time there talking to a woodturner? You can do that in Kansas.
Joe

[jeremy levine]

This thread does seem valid for you trip http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=37452.

Have a great time I have been twice, and have gone to all the islands you will visit.

I you have never been prepare to be amazed.

[Curt Fuller]

I'm not from Hawaii but just got back from a vacation there. Kelley Dunn told me about Tom at Aloha Woods on the big island. I stopped in and bought some small Koa pieces that would fit in my suitcase. They had an incredible selection of native Hawaiian woods to choose from if you're willing to pay the shipping back to the mainland. Their prices seemed very reasonable too. I also found some Mango pieces at a small macadamia nut farm just north of the town of Captain Cook. I don't remember the name but it was on the west side of highway 11. Woodturning seems to be very popular on the Big Island with some incredible work in small galleries all over the island. I wish I had taken time to write down the names of some of them but the ones that come to mind were in Hawi on the northern tip of the island, Waimea, and especially the Volcano Art Gallery at the visitor center at Hawaii Volcanos National Park. One of the turners also told me about Paradise Woods in Hilo but I didn't get there to see what they had. There are so many different kinds of wood there that I've never heard of and they're all beautiful. Also, if it's still there, there is an exhibit of Hawaiian wood turning and woodwork in the Hawaiian Airlines terminal of the Honolulu airport that was so great it almost made me miss my flight.

Aloha Woods is only about a half mile south of the Kona airport on the main highway, east side. There's a big sign you can see from the highway.

[Rick de Roque]

This past summer I visited with Chuck Hess on Maui and had a great visit.

http://www.hesswoodwork.com/

He has a great shop and was very kind to show my wife and I around. Also there are some nice stuff at Whalers Village in Kaanapali (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-833629-kaanapali_ka_anapali-i) (on Maui). I visited a couple of other shops of some local craftsmen but for the life of me I can't think of their names or where their shops are. (If I was there I could find my way there but I can't describe it, sorry)

Check out at the back part of the Wharf (its a shopping center) at 658 Front St, Lahaina (on Maui) and there is a woodturner that has a store there. I think its the 2nd level in the back. Nice guy with some very nice work. He is always there if the store is open. He is easy to talk to.

Have fun. We have been 5 or 6 times and have had a great time each time.

BTW. Be sure to drive the road to Hana on Maui.

Rick

[Paul Engle]

Be sure to stop at derekbencomo.com before you go, his studio is on Maui and sells turning blocks and turned items.My dept head used to live there in Lahaina and is returning in Nov I told him to take extra larg empty suitcase and fill with Monkey pod, Koa, etc and I would make him a tooth pick holder in exchange .........he didn't think that was funny ....