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HLH Reaches Major Milestone Planting of 300,000 Endemic Trees

Paauilo, Hawaii, August 6, 2015 – HLH LLC, a Hawaii based sustainable forestry company, has planted 300,000 endemic trees on the Island of Hawaii – nearly a quarter of its overall goal of 1.3 million total trees to be planted for permanent reforestation across the Hawaiian Islands. HLH has set aside more than 1,000 acres of land for its reforestation project, establishing the world’s first Hawaiian Legacy Forest.

In the past 5 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.

Key to these efforts is the new Legacy Carbon™ program, launched in June. It is the first program in the world to produce certified carbon credits for the reforestation of koa trees. Koa and sandalwood Legacy Trees may be sponsored online via LegacyTrees.org, or can be planted in-person through HawaiianLegacyTours.com , named Ecotour Operator of the Year in 2014 by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association. In addition to reestablishing the forest, proceeds from each tree planted raise funds for more than 300 nonprofits in Hawaii and worldwide.

HLH uses a proprietary radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology that verifies ongoing growth, maintenance, genealogy, and carbon sequestration data, so each individual or organization can track the quantifiable impact of their purchase in what has become the most intricately mapped forest in the world.

About HLH: HLH uses state-of-the-art technology backed by decades of experience to preserve thousands of years of history, culture and natural resources. HLH is one of a select group of companies worldwide to be named a Certified B Corporation, using the power of business to solve social and environmental issues. For more on sustainable forestry operations, visit www.HLH.co; for more on Legacy Carbon, visit www.LegacyCarbon.com; for more on Hawaiian Legacy Tours, visit www.HawaiianLegacyTours.com;  and for more on sponsoring a Legacy Tree, visit www.LegacyTrees.org.

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