KoaWood Ranch

Fueled by inspiration, in 2012 founders Mike Amado, and Craig Villarrubia left their traditional executive careers to embark on an unconventional yet powerful journey. After decades of living in the “hustle and bustle” of big city life, they decided on an adventure that took them to a cloud forest high on the slopes of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. With a willingness to take risks, the path was cleared and they found a culturally rich and abundant property in historic Kukaiau Ranch, on the Big Island. They fell in love with nature and the land’s rich forests. The abundance of emerging Koa seedlings was the only clue to the significant old-growth Koa hidden in the deep woods of the property. With this unexpected surprise the desire to preserve and restore the land was a natural next step. They educated themselves about Koa, from both a historic and technical perspective. After much trial and error attempting to process one of the fallen Koa trees from the property, they imported a small saw mill. Thus began a journey of great exploration and discovery that led to Koa lumber production. Shortly thereafter, Craig was given a lathe and that inspired creative wood turning. Before long they were immersed in all aspects growing, harvesting, milling, and handcrafting Koa wood products and ultimately manifesting the ecologically-sensitive conservation program KoaWood Ranch is today. They’ve devoted their skills and efforts to bringing back the land to its natural ecological heritage. And now their venture has unfolded into a vibrant, fully vertically-integrated Koa reforestation project, lumber resource and creative studio. Their online retail store and brick and mortar location serves as a channel to sell art and products from the ranch as well as Hawaii-inspired goods. Proceeds from the sales of Koa products are reinvested into the conservation program. Mike and Craig are are proud stewards of the land and they welcome and invite you to explore the gifts of KoaWood Ranch.