Every carving at Nahele Carvings begins long before the saw hums to life — it begins with the wood. For us, sourcing isn’t just a material decision; it’s a matter of legacy, connection, and honoring the tree’s past before shaping its future.
Each slab is selected for its grain, tone, and potential — but also for its origin. We insist on ethically sourced, sustainable hardwoods. When possible, we document the wood’s background and honor its previous life: whether it once stood as part of a native canopy or rested for years in a local workshop.
Some of the slabs we work with carry stories decades in the making — salvaged from long-fallen trees, hurricane-downed trunks, or acquired from local woodworkers who’ve spent a lifetime collecting. One of our most meaningful sources is a collection of wood shared from a craftsman with over 50 years making sawdust — lumber he set aside for future projects. By incorporating that wood into our carvings, we continue a legacy of craftsmanship that would otherwise remain still.
Working with legacy wood brings a unique sense of responsibility. It’s not just about making art — it’s about doing justice to what was preserved, protected, or passed down. We don’t take that lightly.
So when you hold a Nahele Carving, you’re not just holding a finished piece — you’re holding a continuation. A story that started in the forest, was carried forward through the hands of others, and now lives on as both art and remembrance.
