HONOLULU (KHON2) — Today, Oct. 11, there was a free woodturning demonstration with an award-winning artist as a part of the 2025 Hawai‘i’s Woodshow: Nā Lā‘au o Hawai‘i.
At the Downtown Art Center from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the public was able to watch Aaron Hammers’ live demonstration of using traditional turning techniques to make raw lumber into functional art.
Aaron Hammer is the creator of the HammerCraft line, which produces functional bowls, drums, wine corks, wooden jewelry and gift items. His mission is to preserve and protect Hawai’i’s forest resources, using only previously fallen Hawaiian trees for his art.
Aaron has been practicing the woodturning techniques since 1995, when he began his apprenticeship with master turner Jerry Kermode. Since 2000, he has owned and operated his own studio in Hawai’i.
The 2025 Hawai‘i’s Woodshow: Nā Lā‘au o Hawai‘i is meant to commemorate Hawai‘i-grown woods and how artists creatively and sustainably utilize them.
“So this is the premier wood show of Hawai‘i, and so, you’ll see, works in all different fields of woodworking, from furniture to sculpture to carving to turning and beyond, from some of the best woodworkers in the state,” Aaron Hammer said. “So it’s really great to have our work out here and display where we can, show it to others and be proud of it.”
This event is put on by the Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association, which is dedicated to advocating for the sustainable use of Hawai‘i’s forest resources, protecting native forests and promoting local artists.
You can experience the artwork till Oct. 25 at Studio C at the Downtown Art Center. Please see the events website for details.