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John was educated in the Classics, classical
art, archaeology, history, and literature at Brown University,
Providence, Rhode Island. After graduation, John enlisted in the
U.S. Marine Corps, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and
entered Naval Aviation Flight School, Pensacola, Florida where he
earned his Naval Aviator wings. Lt. App joined the Fleet Marine
Corps at Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California and was later
transferred to the Republic of Vietnam where he joined Marine Medium
Helicopter 161 and flew combat in the northern sector of South
Vietnam on the DMZ. Lt. App was promoted to Captain and was awarded
16 Air Medals during his tour in Vietnam.
John entered the business world after the
Marine Corps in the field of finance and worked for many years in
various specialty financial businesses.
Over many years, John studied woodworking and
applied his artistic background, passion, and skills to building
specialty cabinetry, toys, breadboards, and furniture. He enrolled
in many courses over the years to enhance his woodworking skills and
became professionally involved in fine woodworking in 1990. He has
reconstructed many kitchens and bathrooms over the years enhancing
the layouts and designs with his eye for detail and love for wood.
In 2007 John moved to the big island of Hawaii
and has continued his woodworking passion utilizing the magnificent
native woods of Hawaii, namely Koa, Ohia, Mango, Kiawe, Milo, and
Avocado.
John takes great pains to ensure that each
item crafted in his workshop, elegantly displays the “soul” of each
trees’ life. All members of his staff are ardent believers in the
proper usage and heritage of all woods with which they work. This
is no ordinary cabinet shop where sameness and straight grains are
emphasized. Each piece, whether a door, drawer, or face frame is
individually crafted and receives caring treatment from the moment
it is received as raw lumber until it is installed in your home.
Not one piece is manufactured outside the workshop by contract
millwrights. We do not use MDF or particle board in our workspace.
There are no shortcuts in proper woodworking. Each piece crafted here is a work of art unto itself. |
