Wedding Ceremonial Canoe
Built for the Hilton Village Waikiki

This was a commissioned wa`a.  I was asked to design and build a `Ceremonial Canoe' to be used for wedding photo shoots.  The canoe is in use at Duke's Lagoon, Hilton Village, Waikiki.  Because it in service almost every day of the year, I glassed the hull and added 3 layers of carbon fiber to the bottom.  The lashings are durable nylon.  The ama is glassed foam.  Wedding tapa cloth designs from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Hawai`i are carved into the wood trim.  Each pattern carries a special meaning related to marriage.  
The design of the canoe is not specific to any group in the Pacific.  I used elements from all over Oceania to create something fun and new.  

Opelu Wa`a with Wave Painting

This beautiful canoe model is for sale at One Gallery, Downtown Hilo.  Antiqued feel, I wanted to recreate a wa`a as they were.  I constructed this piece out of Avocado, Ulu, Koa and Milo woods.  Tool marks, a patina that will only get better with time, natural fiber lashings.  Simple, functional yet elegant.  The acrylic painting of an ocean swell captures the strength of the Pacific and helps tell a story of adventure and skill, navigating the open ocean in search of a productive catch.   

Dowsett Wa`a.  Scale model, 1/4 size.  Koa.  6 feet long.  

This beautiful Koa canoe was one of two, created for a client in Hawai`i.  The Dowsett design was one of the first racing canoes.  Late 1800`s.  I am very happy with the way the lashings turned out.  Notice how the interior lashings that tie the gunwales to the canoe are only visible from the inside.  (The famous `hidden lashings' exclusive to Hawaiian design.)  

Ulu Wa'a light fixture. Commissioned piece.

The canoe hanging above the dining table is a light fixture!  Hanging from thin, stainless steel, aircraft cable, this canoe floats effortlessly 7 feet above the floor.  Two low voltage circuits power 13 led spotlights, giving this room a truly unique feel.  I was commissioned to design, build and install this project.  Fun!

Outrigger Canoes Of The Pacific

Hawaiian Fishing Wa'a

SOLD Hawaiian Fishing Canoe. Breadfruit, Koa and Camphorwood base. 18.5" long.

Koa 'iako lashed to wa'a with hemp string

Koa ama lashed with hemp string

Design inspired from book 'The Hawaiian Canoe' by Tommy Holmes. Breadfruit Canoe. Waipi'o Valley, Hawai'i, 1890

Hawaiian and South Pacific Fusion Canoe.  Scale Model. 

SOLD. Commissioned project. Scale model of a canoe I will build later this year.

Breadfruit Fishing Canoe

Fishing with Stingrays. South Pacific outrigger canoe made from breadfruit with three stingray circling on a driftwood base. 18"L 10"W 6"T $500.00

Fusion Canoe.  Representing all cultures of the outrigger
sold

Pacific Fusion Canoe. Design elements from all over Oceania are fused to create this celebration of the outrigger. Made from a Jackfruit tree. 12' Long. $9500 contact for shipping costs

Curly Koa Hawaiian Wa'a

Commissioned project. Curly Koa Hawaiian wa'a. $750.00 (SOLD)

Fijian Camakau with two Humpback Whales on Driftwood

This is one of my best pieces.  Still available for sale.

Beautiful grain in tail! Walnut.

South Pacific Traditional Outrigger Canoe

South Pacific Outrigger Canoe with Papua New Guinea traditional carvings. 15'L made from a Albiza tree. $15000.00 (SOLD)

West Papua War Shield Outrigger Canoe

West Papua War Shield Inspired Outrigger. 10'L Made from a Albiza tree. $5000 contact for shipping cost