Sponsorship of Rare Endemic Hawaiian Sandalwood Legacy Trees Offered

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Teddi Anderson
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Sponsorship of Rare Endemic Hawaiian Sandalwood Legacy Trees Offered as HLH Expands its Fundraiser Initiative Opportunities for Non-Profits and Other Organizations

Umikoa, HI—January 14, 2014—In honor of Chinese New Year, Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods (HLH) has announced the inclusion of rare endemic Sandalwood Legacy Trees for sponsorship in the state’s first and only Hawaiian Legacy Forest.

“With well over 200,000 young koa trees already planted, the backbone of the forest is beginning to establish itself and the land is beginning to heal. In the second phase of this project, HLH will introduce dozens of varieties of other endemic species to round out the native ecosystem. Key among them is “Iliahi” Hawaiian Sandalwood. Found nowhere else on Earth, it was harvested nearly to extinction a century ago. This tree is so valuable that its wood value is no longer determined by the board foot, but rather by the pound,” said COO Darrell Fox.

“Despite its high value, you won’t find many people planting it,” said CEO Jeff Dunster. “The simple fact is that because it is so slow-growing, if you are planting it for harvest, you better be planting it for your grandkids”. As for HLH, these trees will never be harvested, so the fact that it is slow-growing is not an issue for us-- and yes, in fact we are planting it for our grandkids, and everyone else’s grandkids too,” he continued.

Using its RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) Database, HLH has integrated its proprietary Tree-Tracking system to include GPS / GIS (Global Positioning System / Geographic Information System). This e-forestation© mapping system allows each Legacy Tree planted to be identified by its computer signature, which will track ownership, growth, maintenance, and genealogy of the tree and its carbon content. This Tree-Tracking system will locate each tree by an exact set of geographic coordinates allowing tree owners to locate their trees from satellites using their computers and applications such as Google Earth.

The Legacy Tree program offers a way for everyone to get involved in the reforestation of Hawai`i. This initiative allows organizations to raise money while improving the planet, benefitting Hawai`i’s unique ecosystem, and educating our children about sustainable environmental stewardship.  All fundraiser participants will learn about the only tropical forests that exist in the United States and how the planting of trees has a positive effect on our global environment.

Every time a Sandalwood Legacy Tree is sponsored for $100, $20.00 goes to the charity of the giver’s choice. In addition $1.00 from each tree sponsorship goes to The Hawaiian Islands Land Trust to continue their work in protecting Hawai`i’s environment.

People sponsor Legacy Trees to celebrate an event, honor an individual or memorialize a loved one, and/or to offset their carbon footprint. By planting a Sandalwood Legacy Tree, you contribute to the biodiversity of Hawai`i’s unique ecosystem, give the gift of cleaner air and water, help mitigate global warming, and provide a habitat for native birds.

About Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods: Hawaiian Legacy Hardwoods has set aside 1000 acres of its sustainable forestry project to establish the state’s first Hawaiian Legacy Forest. HLH uses state-of-the-art technology backed by decades of experience to help preserve thousands of years of history, culture and natural resources. HLH is located 34 miles north of Hilo, above the historic Umikoa Village on the slopes of Mauna Kea. For more information, please visit www.HawaiianLegacyHardwoods.com.  

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