(Fine Arts Building)

Koa (Acacia koa A. Gray) is a tall endemic tree which grows slowly to a height of 50 feet or more, with a crown of far-spreading branches. The tree is found commonly on mountainsides, usually between altitudes of 1,500 and 4,000 feet. The bark is light gray, smooth on young trees and very furrowed on mature trees. Its smooth, stiff, crescent-shaped leaves are actually broad leaf stems functioning as leaves, called phyllodes. The true leaves can be found on young trees or near the base of older ones consisting of small leaflets called pinnate compound leaf. In late winter and early spring, the crown of leaves is lightened by small balls of yellow clustered flowers, many of which develop into flat oblong pods with occasional constriction between some ellipsoid seeds.. The production of pods characterizes members of family Fabaceae (legumes).

Koa wood, often called "Hawaiian mahogany," is perhaps the most valuable lumber tree in Hawaii. When polished, it is a beautiful reddish color, through which wavy lines show. The early Hawaiians carved the wood into such things as war canoes, surfboards, and calabashes, whereas today it is used for furniture, woodwork, ukulele and other practical works of art. The early Hawaiians also used the timbers as posts for grass houses, the "tannin" derived from the bark was used for tanning, and the leaves and ashes were used medicinally.