Greg Eaves was born on Oahu and raised on the Big Island where he learned the trade of wood working from his father. Over the past 20 years, Greg has developed his skills and now is the fourth generation in a long line of master craftsmen.
Greg’s great-grandfather, Christian Gertz Jr., moved to Hawai`i in 1853 at the age of 15 and was trained by the renowned Wilhelm Fisher, one of Honolulu’s finest cabinetmakers of the time. Mr. Gertz was chosen to build the grand koa and kamani wood staircase in the Iolani Palace, which was completed for King Kalakaua in 1882. His son, George Gertz continued the tradition as a respected Honolulu boat builder in the early 20th century. Greg’s father, Bradford Eaves, inherited his grandfather’s tools, some of which are still being used today by Greg, carrying on the family tradition.
Greg’s koa wood products have been shown on television, featured in newspapers and magazines, and can be found in fine island galleries. His solid Koa canoes are signed and numbered collector’s items, and will be for generations to come.