Háloa Áina is a native Hawaiian forestry and education organization committed to economic prosperity and environmental responsibility being guided by cultural values for a more sustainable Hawai‘i. Háloa Áina is a family-owned business dedicated to restoring the native dryland forest. Prior to Wade Lee and his ohana caretaking these lands, the forest was stressed from years of cattle grazing and wild sheep. By removing the damaged trees as outlined in the forest management plan, a natural regeneration is returning the forest to its native, pre-ranching condition.
Háloa Áina is one of three sites benefiting from HFI’s American Forests grant. The goal of the grant is to outplant 5,000 seedlings on Hawai‘i Island at Háloa Áina, Keauhou Bird Conservation Center (KBCC) Discovery Forest and Ka‘ūpūlehu Dryland Forest Preserve. Below native Hawaiian Sandalwood (Santalum paniculatum) growing at Háloa Áina.