Hawaii has a long relationship with wood with many of its types of trees that are native and imported to make all sorts of different and amazing woodworks. The islands are rich in luscious healthy forests that began with its native species that were found, until invasive species started to take over parts of the landscape. This was a resource that was used for many years all the way from before Hawaii became a state and sold and traded all sorts of wood from their rich forests.
Hawaii artisans have used wood in a variety of ways to build their buildings, building interiors, furniture, and everyday tools. Modern day Hawaiian artisans still use wood to this day and have applied modern-day techniques to old traditions to become very skilled woodworkers and they still try to show the importance of wood that is a symbol of Hawaii in its crafts. For years Hawaiians would make sure to only take what they would need and have limited amounts, but with commercialization and high demand there has been more effort in replanting, and force planning or even restoration. Wood has been seen in Hawaii from the paddles to the surg boards to even the weapons and bowls (umeke) that were used. They even would search for some of the very best wood to make sure it could build the strongest of canoes that could stand the strength of the angriest of days of the sea. This would add to the value of Native Forest protection and knowing the placement of the trees in how it contributes to the natural resources like the lands and the streams. Hawaiians Lived with Wood Ever since the beginnings of the Hawaiians they would use wood to play an important role as one of the materials of choice used in many things. As westernization started to occur with the Hawaiian kingdom with its trade port it grew in its value and was important in its role not only to provide for the people who lived in Hawaii, but also as international relations. That's the modern day woodcrafters adapt to the new environment there is more: household objects, table work, and treated wood has become important aesthetically in its context. The woodworkers of the past would end up becoming the carpenters that would be working on the interior displays that would show the craft technique. When pieces of wood are used in homes the warping is noticeable, but woodworkers take note of the future by fighting warping by adjusting the corners by rounding them off. This not only shows the strength of the wood and its resistance to moisture but the commitment that was put into Hawaiian forestry. In Nature, those caring for the forests would think about replanting and in the later years would wrap newly growing trees to sticks so it would help grow straight. As it would grow for years and the tree would be very vertical rather than natural, which would make wood that would be easier to work with overall. It would also help the tree density of an area which would help filter water from rain, preserve more water in the ground for higher well levels, and allow for healthier growth of life in the streams. Plantation Use of Many Woods After the plantation days there was techniques and designs that were brought over from multiple cultures. An example of this would be the many homes that were built with wood in the residence as well as the tea houses that were saving up to become social meeting spots. These for examples of woodwork that would be beautiful to the touch and easy on the eyes for its natural beauty that was brought about from its treatment. Many woods would have attachments of metal like "plantation tin roofs" or for "planatation fence columns". Common trees in Hawaii, can be the Ohia Wood, Koa Wood, Mango Wood, Avocado Wood, Lychee Wood, Coconut Wood, and Monkeypod Wood. The most desired woods are Koa Wood, Mango Wood, Tropical Ash Wood, because of the attractive focal swirling designs of dark and light grain lines. Each piece of wood has its own scent as well that is most notable when working with the wood itself and placing shavings of wood is some of the best ways to bring out the scent. Some shops use to set up a small tree sliced in half exposing its grain and having a plastic concealed box of shavings in which visitors could smell. At this time Hawaiians would pass on their knowledge of the importance of the forests as a responsibility that helped water in drinking and fish pond health as well as wetland Taro (kalo). Specific Valleys are connected to stories and specific plants and specific woods and specific waters that have a regional meaning and be tied to the people who lived there based on these resources. Back in this time the sorts of trees that were in a region would be recognized for their regional importance. Grain of Wood The grain of the wood is very attractive through a layer of paint, a layer of the polish, and would translate over to the world of surfing. Back in the day of surfing boards were often made out of wood that would still have a natural appearance. These started out with darker woods and then later on became more to the liking of people who enjoyed lighter colored woods. Some surfboards would have a stripe of dark wood down the middle with light wood being on both the left and the right or vice versa where the color scheme was opposite of this. This would create a style that would start using a plane straight (quarter) wood grain as a design element for interiors. As a tree grows there is normal warping when left alone and branches cut will eventually have the area where they grew will wither and fall out overtime. A number of techniques of growing the trees there are methods used to minimize such warping. Bathing woods, straight lines of trees rings are some of the best grains and certain woods can be highly resistant to warping. These sorts of bathing woods are necessary to be chosen for being the right tree and the right cut of the wood that has stacked tree rings, because it makes it so liquid has a hard time escaping. These are the sorts of woods used for wood made bath tubs that were popular as the popularity of soaking became normalized. Interior Woods and Hawaiian Design Hawaiian aesthetics depend alot on the type of wood used to tell a story of where someone maybe from or what a item is used for. With such a variation of woods available the color coordination of wood plays an important role in Hawaiian interiors as well that incorporates in the entire design. The carpenters of the past showed incredible detail in their shapes and understanding of the wood that gives a sense of the person who crafted it. The changes in wood are a change in the area and the lands that it had grown on and make the item full of memories, especially when restored from a previous family member as apart of a family legacy or clan legacy. These woods age over time and their appearance changes and also becomes more unique through age as it is said to become a piece of family history. A sort of family treasure that is preserved with the generations. In Hawaii bars, there is a noticeable large piece or even a slab of wood (sometimes figured) that acts as a counter and really shows off the wood to the customer as well as to show how clean it is because it's so clear. Hawaii businesses will have such a display to show their use of nature and having a piece of that nature be represented inside the business itself. Having something that stands out like a table is an icon that communicates that things that are made within the business are from Hawaii land. An example of an interiors widely making use of wood is the designs used from the Monkey pod kitchen run by Peter Merriman on Maui and Oahu. The chairs are made of wood and the tables are a natural warped wood that looks like art. Wood can be seen in the steps and can be found bound by Hawaiian rope and rope tying techniques similar to those shown on the ships that are also proudly displayed in the restaurant. Rocks are also carefully placed in a particular way to work with the wood and create a sort of cultural aura about it and say it has a sense of welcoming Aloha. photo from monkey pod restaurant
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
|