An Hawaiian Tree Saddle is a type of saddle only found in Hawaii with distinct variations found on each Hawaiian island. The basis of the wooden saddle tree is comprised of four parts: the fork (front), two bars (for the left and right sides), and the seat. The traditional and most popular wood to use is that of the Neneleau tree, favored for its tight grain and lightness. After the wood is dried, hand-hewn and smoothed, it is covered with rawhide.

Next the aweawe is attached. Aweawe, Hawaiian for tentacles, refers to the braided rawhide rigging used to keep the saddle on the horse. This is the most distinctive feature of the Hawaiian tree saddle—and the one that identifies a Hawaii Island-made saddle. Other Hawaiian islands use different techniques of making this rigging or don't use it at all.

When all of these steps are finished, the leather skirting is measured, cut and stamped. Then the stirrups are added and the saddle is completed. Some saddles have open-toe stirrups, while others have closed-toe, leather stirrups called tapaderos.

Paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) craftsman, Clarence Rapoza, has been custom-crafting these one-of-a-kind Noho Lio (Hawaiian saddles) for decades. With only a handful of Hawaiian tree saddle makers remaining, Hawaiian Tree Saddle making is becoming a dying art which makes this saddle all the more valuable.

This Hawaiian Tree Saddle is hand-stamped with a daisy design, leather tapaderos and measures 15 inches.

This saddle also comes with a hand-stitched, vintage, red Palaka saddle pad that measures 30"x30".