Koa Wood Bowls - A Gift of Hawaii's Treasure

Source: traditionalhome.com via Donna on Pinterest

Looking for a perfectly beautiful Valentine’s gift or other gift for someone who has everything? Try the Hawaiian gift of a Koa Umeke (Koa Wood Bowl) or Koa calabash. These gorgeous pieces are often displayed in luxury Hawaii homes.

The Hawaiian culture places great significance in bowl making.  Technique and craftsmanship for making bowls was kept secret and passed down quietly and mysteriously.  The functionality of the bowl is important, along with the care in in the craftsmanship. The shape and design must be perfect.  The attention to the umeke shape reflects the Hawaiian culture of sharing and attention to hospitality.

For more on the art of making traditional Hawaiian bowls, see this article.

The wood from which a Hawaiian bowl is made is important too. The patterns and swirls from the grain of the natural wood can create a real object of art.  Koa is a beautiful, expensive, and rare wood grown only in Hawaii.  Hawaiian bowls made of Koa wood are among the most prized. 

Koa Umeke (Koa Wood Bowls) are heirlooms and collectibles in Hawaii. These are cherished items handed down in families and displayed in museums, as Koa was once available only to royalty.  They are a true Hawaiian luxury item and the price reflects that. The umeke pictured below retail for around $500 per bowl.

Umeke may be given with something of meaning or value inside, for example, handwritten wishes of good luck from the giver(s) or with some salt, wrapped in ti leaf, inside, signifying purification.  As a symbolic gesture of Aloha (Love), friendship, congratulations, and hospitality, a Koa Umeke is a beautiful, meaningful, and traditional gift in Hawaii. 

For some great examples of KOA BOWLS, visit Martin & McArthur.