It was built in the early 1930's at Honaunau, possibly by a team of builders from that area. It's design indicates that it was probably used for fishing and recreation, and it was built specifically for Hilo Bay waters. However, due to poor health, Roy reluctantly had to offer the canoes for sale. It takes 100 years for koa trees to grow to 40 feet or more.
Reforestation allows increased growth without effecting grain, strength, color, etc.
John Kekua came back through the Umikoa area with bulldozers, turned the soil, and koa seedlings sprang forth. And each log, even as it is cut, is not dead. As one works on a canoe, the life of the log comes into the canoe as the spirit of the builder goes into the canoe. Each canoe speaks of something different as it goes through the stages of creation. Some people name a canoe as the log is felled.