The Undercover Carver: What's a Latte Stone?

My wife's friend, who is Guamanian, asked me to make a wood carved replica of a "Latte Stone". I know, you're probably thinking about coffee and milk. That was my first thought also. So, having never been to Guam, I had to do some quick research on the subject myself. Thank God for the internet, although a fact finding trip to Guam would have been really sweet. Not enough time, not enough money. I don't want to deprive you of an educational opportunity by telling you what a Latte Stone is, so Google it now......I didn't keep track of the hours I put into it, but it took me about a month to complete it. This was the largest carving I have done to date and it was intimidating for a number of reasons.

I'm not from Guam. My biggest fear was that I might in some way dishonor the Chamorro culture.
Where to get wood that big. (Turns out I have a friend who is an arborist)
I don't have the right tools for a large project. (Bought some)
The wood is really green, won't it crack and split (Yes, but it looks rustic that way)

Setting my fears aside, I laid tool to wood and mallet to tool and the chips began to fly...

Green Wood