Throughout his life, Andy has admired anything made from wood. He launched into wood turning at the dawn of the century when he had the opportunity to learn the basics in lathe work. His house, yard, and time have since overflowed with the evidence of a passionate wood turner.

Frequently, the question is asked about the favorite wood for turning. Although Andy has a few that he especially enjoys, he jumps at the opportunity to turn a new species. Every type of wood has its own unique characteristics, and likewise, no two pieces of wood have the same grain. Andy enjoys working with a “flawless” piece, but finds it more rewarding to turn a piece of blemished wood into a vessel with character highlights.

People laugh when Andy answers the question about where he gets his wood. “I find it on the side of the road,” he casually responds. While most people drive past a pile of logs on their way to the landfill, Andy stops to search for potential hidden treasures. He gets a lot of satisfaction in turning a piece of discarded tree into a work of art.

Speaking of art, Andy does not actually consider himself an artist, but refers to himself as a skilled craftsman, and gives the title of artist to the one who created the tree and the beauty that lies within. He simply grabs a log and removes the excess wood on his lathe with a few sharp tools and then adds a little oil and wax.

Andy is actively involved in the Honolulu Wood Turners Club and continues to learn and share with other turners. Although born where the autumn foliage is spectacular, he has been a resident on the island of Oahu since the 1980s, where he lives with his wife and two sons on a hillside overlooking Waikiki and beyond.