HLH LLC, a Hawaii-based sustainable forestry company, planted 300,000 endemic trees on Hawaii Island — nearly a quarter of its overall goal of 1.3 million total trees to be planted for permanent reforestation across the Hawaiian Islands.
HLH set aside more than 1,000 acres of land for its reforestation project, establishing the world’s first Hawaiian Legacy Forest.
In the past five years, HLH has developed an entire native ecosystem on former pastureland across the slopes of Mauna Kea. In addition to koa, HLH is planting many other indigenous species of trees and understory, including ohia, mamane, naio, ko‘oko‘olau, kukaenene and iliahi (Hawaiian sandalwood).
“Returning this pastureland to the forest it once was has re-established a much-needed habitat for endemic Hawaii plant and animal species, some of which are endangered,” said Jeff Dunster, HLH CEO. “This significant milestone of 300,000 trees planted has been made possible by support from numerous individuals, nonprofits, businesses and government agencies committed to seeing this forest return to the landscape.”
Through state-of-the- art technologies and proprietary forest management practices, HLH is promoting long-term forest health, carbon sequestration, ecosystem diversity and unparalleled data collection for research and development, all while creating permanent green jobs for Hawaii families.
HLH is working closely with the nonprofit Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative to reach its goal of planting 1.3 million trees