Before Cook, Hawaii was a stone, plant and wood culture. The Hawaiians were among the most skillful cultures in using nature to produce the necessities of life. From fishing to the manufacturing of garments, the Hawaiians used what nature provided. The collecting of Hawaii's past thusly centers around stones, wood, bone and feathers, all natural products of an isolated environment.

Bowls were either carved from stone or wood. The three most common woods used by ancient Hawaiians were Kou, Milo or Kamane. The Kou calabash is the most common type of wood bowl. These bowls are highly valued. The best description of Hawaiian Calabash Bowls is found in Irvin Jenkins "The Hawaiian Calabash."