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DHHL briefs commission on Aina Mauna koa reforestation idea with nonprofit/industry partnership to produce tonewood and restore watershed
Summary
DHHL staff presented an informational briefing on a sustainable koa forestry concept for Aina Mauna lands — a potential partnership that would fence and reforest degraded pasture, harvest dead/dying koa, replant plantations, and partner with a timber‑to‑tonewood processor to reinvest timber proceeds into long‑term stewardship.
DHHL provided an informational briefing on Sept. 15 describing exploratory discussions to implement sustainable koa reforestation on Aina Mauna lands. Staff described a model in which DHHL would license or partner with a nonprofit licensee that would, in turn, contract a specialized forest‑management and tonewood firm to harvest dead or low‑value koa, replant expanded koa stands, protect regenerating koa by fencing to exclude cattle, and reinvest proceeds to sustain long‑term stewardship.
Property development staff said the Aina Mauna legacy area contains patches of koa adapted to high‑elevation cloud moisture and is important for watershed function and native bird habitat. The land has been impacted by prior cattle use and periodic fire risk; DHHL said targeted reforestation could reduce erosion, increase water infiltration and restore native habitat while producing commercially valuable timber for instruments and specialty wood markets.
DHHL staff described prior harvests on the parcel dating from the 2000s, and said past trials showed substantial koa regeneration if feral animals were controlled and fencing installed. The department said two pathways had been attempted previously — competitive commercial leases and an open procurement approach — but that competitive processes had not produced viable, stable operators for long‑term stewardship. Staff said the department was exploring a nonprofit licensee model (reconstituted Nakupa‘a o Kuhi‘o nonprofit) that would partner with a proven private operator (Siglo Tonewoods) to implement stewardship, local job training and community outreach.
Representatives from Siglo Tonewoods and Nakupa‘a said the company has operated coastal and upland reforestation projects in Hawaii, and that a tonewood milling strategy (including a thin‑kerf sawmill) could add value to harvested koa and finance ongoing restoration. The partners described prior examples of fenced regeneration producing healthy koa canopy and native understory growth within several years and noted efforts to develop a local sawmill and downstream markets for higher‑value instrument timber.
The presentation was informational only; commissioners did not vote, but several commissioners indicated support for exploring a stewardship/partnership approach and emphasized that future actions would require transparent public consultation, environmental compliance, fencing and invasive species control, and detailed business‑plan and financial models.
Ending — next steps DHHL staff said they would continue to refine a proposal, evaluate nonprofit‑license approaches, pursue grant or private funding to cover upfront fencing and restoration costs, and return to the commission with an action item if a formal licensing or procurement pathway is recommended.
