I’m Emiliano Achaval, a wood lathe artist based in Makawao, Maui, Hawaii.

My journey into woodturning began about 24 years ago, when a huge Big Island Koa tree fell in my yard. A friend stopped by to ask if I wanted to sell the wood — I hesitated, and he offered instead to teach me how to make something from it. That day changed everything.

I ordered a small Sears Craftsman lathe and a set of simple turning tools. I never took formal lessons — I learned by reading books, watching old VHS tapes, and spending hours at the lathe experimenting. My good friend Cole Warren let me watch him turn at his gallery in Makawao, and his generosity and advice were invaluable. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his guidance.

Another early mentor was Johnny Baldwin, my wife’s cousin, who shared his experience, his woodpile, Johnny also brought many world-class turners to Maui, creating learning opportunities that inspired a generation of local woodworkers.

Those experiences laid the foundation for what I do today — learning, sharing, and teaching. I became one of the founding members of the Maui Woodturners Association, and in February 2016, I was honored to be elected its first President. Our club is an official chapter of the American Association of Woodturners.

Today, I work with many native Hawaiian woods — Koa, Milo, Kamani, and others — as well as local fruit trees like lychee, avocado, and mango, and the rare and beautiful Pheasant wood. If it’s local and beautiful, I’ll turn it.

I’ve also had the honor of writing for Woodturning Magazine UK for more than four years now, contributing dozens of articles and appearing on several covers. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m still as passionate about woodturning today as I was the day that first Koa tree fell in my yard.