About Us
1. Our Story: Rooted in Hawaiʻi
Jon Martin founded Martin & MacArthur in 1961 with a clear vision: to create exquisite furniture that was “second to none.” His appreciation for Hawaiian koa and his insistence on exceptional craftsmanship established the foundation of our company. Jon admired the simple, unfettered style of the fine furniture in Iolani Palace and old Hawaiian plantation homes. He designed his furniture to reflect his appreciation for Hawai'i's finest wood, Koa.
From the beginning, our highly skilled craftsmen have been the cornerstone of that vision. Their knowledge, judgment, and skill bring out the character of the wood, transforming it into furniture worthy of a lasting place in a family’s home. We are the only fine furniture maker of any size in Hawai'i with an apprenticeship program to pass on the heritage of this craft.
Since Jon’s retirement over 20 years ago, we have broadened that vision to celebrate Hawaiʻi’s finest craftsmen and artists to include other mediums beyond furniture. Our galleries now feature the finest Hawaii artwork, glass art, sculpture, and jewelry. We are proud to feature fine Hawaiian feather lei, Hawaiian weapons and scale model Hawaiian canoes.
While the breadth of our collection has grown, we remain steadfast in our commitment to feature extraordinary work of the most talented craftsmen and artists. We are committed to offering our customers beauty and quality that will endure.
Our fine craftsmen and artists offer something even more meaningful than the exquisite works they create. They offer us meaning and intention. They offer a personal commitment to quality. They offer timeless style that can be cherished for generations. They offer us the stuff around which life memories are built.
It begins with an understanding of the material: how the grain moves, how the color changes in the light, and how one piece of wood will complement another. It develops through careful shaping, thoughtful proportions, precise joinery, and finishing that reveals the wood’s natural beauty.
Our master craftsmen bring experience and personal pride to their work. Witness their attention to detail in the effortless slope of our dining table legs. The perfect balance of our rocking chairs. The tight joinery of our dresser drawers. The perfect symmetry of our lathe-turned bed posts. The seamless precision of our dining chairs.
That same respect for craftsmanship guides the art and personal treasures we select for our galleries. We look for work with a distinct point of view, thoughtful execution, and a quality that rewards closer attention.
These are the details that give anything made by Martin & MacArthur its presence—and help it remain a treasure for years to come.
4. Respect for Koa
Koa holds a special place in Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural heritage. Its rich color, varied grain, and luminous figure make every piece individual. Working with this extraordinary wood carries a responsibility that we take seriously.
We only use koa from trees that have already died or fallen. Our strict harvesting practice allows us to feature deep, rippling curly koa that comes only from aged koa trees. It demonstrates our respect for the living forests. It is our commitment to the future of Hawai'i's natural beauty.
For more than 65 years, our relationship with koa has shaped our craftsmanship and our appreciation for the forests of the Big Island. Responsible sourcing and forest regeneration are essential to carrying that relationship forward.
We proudly certify the authenticity and sourcing of our koa products. Our customers can be assured that their furniture made with Hawai'i's finest koa.
Every finished piece offers a lasting connection to Hawaiʻi.
5. A Home for Hawaiʻi’s Artists
Hawaiʻi is home to remarkable artistic talent. Our galleries offer the very best artists and craftsmen a place to be discovered, appreciated, and welcomed into homes around the world.
We bring together artists and craftsmen working across many forms, from painting and sculpture to glass, koa boxes, and fine jewelry. Each brings an individual perspective, shaped by experience, imagination, and a deep engagement with their craft.
The collection includes the craftsmanship of Roy Tsumoto’s koa boxes, the beauty of Lalepa’s Tahitian pearl jewelry, and the expressive paintings of Michael Powell, alongside work by artists and craftsmen including Boris Huang and Manny Mattos.
Together, these works reveal the breadth of creative expression connected to Hawaiʻi. Some invite quiet contemplation. Others bring playfulness, movement, or a striking presence to a room.
By sharing their work, we help these artists reach people who will appreciate it and make it part of their lives. Our galleries are a meeting place between the person who creates something meaningful and the person who finds meaning in it.
6. Fine furnishings That Become Part of Your Life
The things we cherish often gain their deepest meaning through the moments that happen around them.
A dining table holds the memory of family celebrations, conversations that continue into the evening, and children who grow up to bring families of their own. A koa box safeguards letters, photographs, and small treasures whose significance only a family fully understands. A feather lei given as a wedding gift becomes a cherished reminder of that day, honored by generations that follow.
We choose and create pieces with that long view in mind. Their beauty draws you to them; living with them gives them a story.
Over time, they become familiar companions in your home and your life. Their meaning grows through the people, occasions, and everyday experiences associated with them.
To pass such a piece to the next generation is to share the life that surrounded it.
7. Our Commitment to You
Craftsmanship is at the heart of our products, and we bring that same care to the art of customer service.
We take pride in listening, offering thoughtful guidance, and helping you choose something that feels right for you. Whether you visit one of our galleries or shop with us online, we want your experience to be personal, welcoming, and worthy of your trust.
Our relationship continues after your purchase. If you have an issue with something you have purchased from us, we want to hear about it and make it right.
The care we give our customers is an essential part of who we are. It is another way we put gracious Hawaiian living into practice—with attention, consideration, and a commitment to the people we serve.
8. Experience Martin & MacArthur
We invite you to discover the craftsmanship, artistry, and personal connections that make Martin & MacArthur special.
Explore a piece that speaks to you. Find a gift that expresses what someone means to you. Bring home something whose beauty you can enjoy today and whose significance can grow through the years.
Experience gracious Hawaiian living through Martin & MacArthur—in our galleries, online, in your home, and in your life.