Nāu

Custom Carving

A piece carved just for you. Tell me your story and I'll shape it into something you can carry with you.

Start with the Story

Polynesian carving is older than the written word. Long before our stories were written down, they were carved - into bone, into wood, into the lineage of every family that passed the craft forward. A custom piece carries that weight. Each curve, each mark, each binding is a way of holding something true.

Every commission begins with a conversation. Your family, your connection to the islands or the sea, what the piece means to you - the more you share, the more the carving can hold.

Hana

How a Commission Works

01

Call to Talk Story

Pick up the phone and tell me what you're thinking. Bring your story - your family, your meaning, the feeling you want carried in the piece. If you have reference images or pieces from the gallery you're drawn to, even better.

02

Design & Confirm

We'll talk through the design, the material, and the size. If you'd like a sketch before we begin carving, I can prepare one for an additional fee. Once the design is set and payment is received, the work begins.

03

Carved by Hand

Every piece is shaped entirely by hand - no machines, no shortcuts. Most commissions take three to four weeks from start to shipping. When it's ready, it ships to you, finished with traditional cord binding.

Mea Pono

Pricing & Timeline

Custom Carving

From $200

Final price depends on size, material, and the complexity of the design. We'll lock it in during our call.

Optional Design Sketch

+$50

A drawing of the design before carving begins. Useful if you want to see the piece on paper first.

Lead time is typically 3 to 4 weeks from confirmed design to shipping.

Full payment is required before carving begins.

Each piece is unique - no two carvings are the same.

Nā Mea

Materials

Cattle Bone

The traditional foundation. Selected for grain, color, and density.

Koa Wood

Hawaiian hardwood with deep, varying grain. A piece of the islands.

Swordfish Bill

Hard, fine-grained, and bright - a connection to the deep ocean.

Abalone Inlay

Iridescent shell, often used as eyes or accents in finished pieces.

Every Piece, Carved by Hand

Ready to talk about a piece? Whether you're looking for something from the collection or want a custom carving, give me a call.

(808) 747-5558

or email makaunui@gmail.com