Woodshow winners announced

The 29th annual Hawaii’s Woodshow in Honolulu ended last week with Big Island wood artists bringing home several top awards.

The Hawaii Forest Industry Association-sponsored show highlights both the variety of woods grown in Hawaii as well as the talents of the makers who craft them into works of art. This year, 86 pieces were at the show including a student section showcasing a variety of functional furniture pieces, sculptures and wood turning all made from woods grown in the state and very often harvested by the makers themselves.

A panel of three jurors, Sharon Doughtie, Bundit Kanisthakhon and Tanya Rubenstein, selected from the entries as stand out examples of the work being done with Hawaiian woods.

Tai Lake took the Award of Excellence in the masters division and People’s Choice Award for his “Forest Meditations” side table. Mats Fogelvik received the first place furniture award for his “Hula Nahele” koa side table. Paul Schurch, a master woodworker recently relocated to Ninole, took Best of Show for his wall piece “Koa Weave.” The Award of Merit went to Michael Patrick Smith and Kelly Dunn brought home First Place in the Accessories division. Rob Woodward, a wood turner from Puuanahulu, received honorable mentions as did woodworkers Winter Anderson and Tom Loomis.