Koa trees are found in drier kinds of forests that are usually on mountain sides. Acacia koa is the largest native forest trees.

Koa trees usually are at elevations of about 1,500 feet to

4,000 feet. If trees were grown together in a bunch, the trunks could get as tall as 60 feet then branch out to more trees.

Trunk

The trunk of a koa tree was used to make canoe hulls, paddles, surfboards, and calabashes. The wood wouldn't be used for food bowls nor cups, because the sap from the tree contains a disagreeable flavor.

Endemic

The koa trees are found no where else than Hawai'i. It is a native plant only to Hawai'i. That's special, because if someone was lookng for this plant, they'd only have to come to Hawai'i and buy it. (Note this is actually a problem if there is too much of a demand and not enough Koa...we treasure our resources. Koa is valuable in more ways than $ If it is wiped out, it is wiped out forever.)