Even with advanced technology, planting trees is still the most viable solution to convert CO2 into biomass, reduce our carbon footprint, and solve climate change. Planting trees makes a global problem more approachable on a local level, and raises public awareness about the importance of creating a more sustainable Hawai'i.

Besides the benefits for carbon sequestration, there are other practical reasons why planting trees in Hawai’i is important. Restoring Hawai'i forests will have a trickle-down positive impact on the entire state and help bring our island ecosystems back into harmony with nature.

The restoration of Hawai’i forests will in turn improve the quality of habitats for endangered species and native wildlife, it will reduce erosion and its impact on coastal marine ecosystems like coral reefs, and it will enhance water retention and the efficiency of our freshwater supplies.  

We believe that in Hawai’i we have a unique opportunity and also a duty to set a new standard and be a world leader in carbon neutrality – helping to generate new social norms that are desperately needed to avert the pace of climate change while restoring our native island ecosystems. We believe big change starts with small actions, and that making Hawai'i carbon neutral can be as simple as planting trees and restoring our ancient forests.

This project is focused on planting 5 different Hawai'i native tree species, including Koa, Wiliwili, Kou, Lonomea, and Milo. Learn more about them below.

Koa – the most valuable and famous tree in Hawai’i, the word koa also means warrior in Hawaiian. This tree doesn’t grow anywhere else in the world. Its wood is durable, beautiful and long-lasting and sometimes called “Hawaiian mahogany.” In old Hawai’i the wood was used to build ocean-going canoes, surfboards, ukuleles, and spear handles. Koa was considered the wood of Hawaiian royalty and even today is revered as one of the most valuable hardwoods in the world. *Fun Fact: Brink’s guitar is made from koa wood

Wiliwili – really strong deciduous tree that can grow in the harshest environments and able to grow to 50 feet tall and its canopy spreads to 50 feet wide. It’s a flowering tree that can produce flowers of different colors. This tree creates a lightweight wood that was used in old Hawai’i to build canoes, surfboards, and fishing baskets. The flowers were used to make leis and to make medicines.

Kou – highly prized among ancient Hawaiians who used the leaves to dye kapa cloth, create medicines and to create wood art carvings due to the beauty of its grain and ease of carving. In old Hawai’i, kou was used to create dishes, utensils and for food storage. Kou is a flowering tree and the orange flowers were often used to make leis. It’s drought, wind, and salt tolerant making it a really good survivor.

Lonomea – known for their large hanging fruit which is tasty to birds but not people. It’s a large tree up to 60 feet with a white trunk and small white flowers. The seeds were used to create medicines and leis in old Hawai’i and the wood was also used to create spears for hunting and fishing.

Milo – known as “Pacific rosewood,” Milo trees were considered sacred by early Polynesians. The home of King Kamehameha I in Waikiki was surrounded by milo trees. They grow to a height of 50 feet with a spread of 30 feet providing great shade. Its wood was prized for making bowls, carvings, calabashes, and dishes and the bark was used as cordage, the fruits used to create dyes, medicines, oils, and gum. The massive root system of the trees allows them to grow well on sandy beaches in full sun and they are a great way to prevent erosion. The tree produces flowers that resemble the yellow hibiscus, which is a close cousin. There is a Hawaiian proverb which refers to the use of the leaves, blossoms or seeds of the milo in love magic, hana aloha. It says, "He milo ka la'au, mimilo ke aloha." (Milo is the plant; love goes round and round.)