Acacia koaia, known as koaiʻa or koaiʻe in Hawaiian, is a species of acacia that is endemic to Hawaii. It is closely related to koa (Acacia koa), and is sometimes considered to be the same species.

Koai‘a is usually a better choice for lowland landscapes over koa because of its smaller stature and natural resistance to pests. The dense reddish brown wood is harder than koa and was used by early Hawaiians to create short and long spears, fish lures, shark hooks and paddles. A yellow kapa dye can be made using the flowers.

Oct 23, 2013 · It has the same sickle shaped foliage, which aren’t actually leaves but modified stems called phyllodes. It also has harder, more dense wood and longer, narrower seed pods with a different arrangement of seeds. Some sources list this tree as a variety of Koa while others separate it into its own species. Distribution: Much less abundant than Koa.

Koai‘a is a small tree, rarely taller than 5 m (16 ft) with a domed canopy that is usually about as wide as the tree is tall when grown in the open. The phyllodes are generally narrower, shorter, and straighter than those of koa.

There are two Acacia species endemic to Hawaii. The first, referred to as Acacia koa sensu stricto, is a fairly common Hawaiian tree that is well known for its decorative wood.

Koa is the largest native tree in the Hawaiian Islands reaching heights of about 115 feet (33 m)! Commercially, koa is one of the most expensive woods in the world. It is used to make furniture, veneer, and crafts. Most koa is harvested from remnant individuals or stands in pasture lands. [16] Endemic. No Status.

Koai‘a (Acacia koaia) – Diversity matters! Evolution doesn't happen without genetic diversity. The reason we have so many different dog breeds today is because the ancestral dog thousands of years ago was a genetically diverse species that we were able to mold using artificial selection.

Common Name(s): Koaia, dwarf koa, koa oha. Scientific Name: Acacia koaia. Distribution: Hawaii. Average Dried Weight: 70.5 lbs/ft 3 (1,130 kg/m 3)* *Density based on a single sample tested. Janka Hardness: 3,250 lb f (14,460 N)* *Estimated hardness based on specific gravity. Comments: Koai’a is very closely related to the much more ...

Feb 16, 2002 · Acacia koa is endemic to Hawai'i and is found on all the main islands except Kaho'olawe and Ni'ihau. It is often a dominant plant in dry to wet forests at elevations ranging from 200 to 6,500 feet. (Wagner 1990) The seeds of Acacia koa are contained in brown bean pods 1/4 to 1 inch wide and up to 12 inches long.

Koaiʻa is a good choice for those who want a koa tree in their yard but do not have the space. Koaiʻa can be planted 12- 15 feet apart for an effective windbreak or privacy screen, or planted as a specimen tree with a nice umbrella canopy. The wood is hard and valuable just like koa.