Meet leleo

In 1997, Leleo Kinimaka TURNED HIS PASSION INTO A REALITY.

A master woodworker from Kaua‘i, his native Hawaiian art studio is nestled at the foothills of the Koolau mountain range in Waimanalo on the island of O’ahu.

He combines his deep-rooted Hawaiian heritage with exceptional craftsmanship to create exceptional pieces of Hawaiiana, such as traditional wooden Hawaiian surfboards, paddles, weapons of Lua, and furniture.

With his background in traditional Hawaiian culture, Leleo's work celebrates the rich legacy of his ancestors. He creates pieces that tell the stories of his culture through symbols using both local and domestic wood species.

His custom pieces are not just functional items but works of art that reflect a blend of modern skill and ancient tradition.

From the Beginning…

Leleo is a native Hawaiian born and raised on the island of Kauai. His childhood on Kaua‘i was infused with rich Hawaiian tradition, where he embraced the spirit of aloha and storytelling.

His father Percy Leleo Kinimaka worked as a beach boy on Waikiki Beach during the 1950’s. At this time, Percy was heavily influenced by his close friend Duke Kahanamoku.

The influence of sharing the “aloha spirit” and participating in various ocean sports trickles down to the next generation. This is where Leleo found himself combining his passion for canoe paddling, surfing, and woodworking. This passion is now shared through his art.