HLRI Launches First O‘ahu Legacy Forest
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Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative Launches First O‘ahu Legacy Forest
The 500-acre reforestation effort on the North Shore will support over 600,000 native Legacy Trees
Honolulu, Hawai‘i, January 9, 2018 – The nonprofit Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI) today announced its first O‘ahu Legacy Forest, located at Gunstock Ranch in Laie-Malaekahana. The initial project will span more than 500 acres of land slated for permanent reforestation. The forest will support over 600,000 newly planted Legacy Trees and be home to numerous rare and endangered species.
“This is the first Legacy Forest to feature predominantly Hawaiian milo, a rare tree known for its bright-yellow flower, long prized for its wood to make bowls, calabashes, carvings and musical instruments,” said HLRI Executive Director Jeff Dunster. “This ahupua‘a was once part of a great coastal native habitat. These lands stretched from sea level to the upper reaches of the Ko‘olau Range, and were dominated by hala, hau, kukui, koa, naio, sandalwood and milo trees.”
HLRI is working with Gunstock Ranch, a 750-acre working horse and cattle ranch, and land manager Hawaii Reserves, Inc., to return the area to a native forest. Hawaii Reserves manages the property affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“This reforestation project underscores our desire to beautify these lands and enhance the environment,” said Hawaii Reserves, Inc. President R. Eric Beaver. “Our stewardship goes back to the mid-1800s, so this is a special effort, one that begins to implement a significant aspect of restoring an ahupua‘a’s ecosystem. We appreciate the working relationship with the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative and our long-term tenant Gunstock Ranch, and our aligned values.”
“A low-elevation native Hawaiian forest is a unique sight,” said Greg Smith, owner of Gunstock Ranch. “Imagining our horseback tours with Hawaiian Legacy Tours, we see an incredible, awe-inspiring experience for both residents and visitors. We look forward to being an integral part of restoring the land that we have been working since 1971.”
The O‘ahu Legacy Forest will be the third forest of its kind in Hawai‘i. The 700-acre Legacy Forest on Kahua Ranch announced in April 2017 will include dozens of endemic and native Hawaiian species over a contiguous mix of forest, marshland and fully vegetated volcanic soil on the western slopes of the Kohala Mountains. The original forest at Kukaiau Ranch along the Hamakua Coast spans over 400,000 endemic koa, ‘ōhi‘a, māmane, naio, ko‘oko‘olau, kūkaenēnē and ‘iliahi trees on almost 1,200 acres of former pastureland.
HLRI uses state-of-the-art radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to record the growth, health, location and sponsorship details of each tree. Trees can be tracked online through HLRI’s Tree Tracker program. HLRI and sustainable forestry company HLH are working to reforest 1.3 million trees across the state – one for each person in Hawai‘i.
About Gunstock Ranch: Gunstock Ranch is a working horse and cattle ranch that has been in operation since 1971 and currently offers horseback rides and other tours and activities that focus on the paniolo culture and history of the land. Learn more about Gunstock Ranch at GunstockRanch.com.
About HRI: Hawaii Reserves, Inc. manages property affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located primarily in Laie on the North Shore of O‘ahu. This includes several thousand acres of agricultural and preservation land, as well as other commercial and residential properties.
About HLRI: Through state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies, the nonprofit organization HLRI works with landowners to establish and preserve economically viable and sustainable endemic Hawaiian forests, protect endangered species, sequester carbon and recharge watersheds. HLRI’s Legacy Trees are planted for permanent reforestation and are sponsored by businesses and individuals, with a portion of proceeds donated to charities worldwide. For more, visit LegacyTrees.org. Learn more about Legacy Carbon at LegacyCarbon.com.
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