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 that benefited from HFI’s American Forests grant. The goal of the grant was 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. The project was completed in 2022.
Háloa Áina Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood is made from 100% Santalum paniculatum a variety of sandalwood that is endemic to Hawaii Island (the Big Island) and found nowhere else in the world. Our trees grow at an elevation of 5,000 feet on the slopes of Mauna Loa along with Mamane, Naio and Koa trees and an understory of various native shrubs including Pukiawe, Lauala, and Aalái. Our Big Island climate is ideal and these sandalwood trees have a potential to reach over 50 feet high with a canopy diameter of over 30 feet; average trees are 33 feet high and have canopies measuring around 23 feet. Their research shows that the Santalum paniculatum has impressive alpha & beta santalols compared to album and spicatum and is above the current ISO standard for santalol content. They are also the only USDA certified organic sandalwood oil that meets the international ISO standard.
Háloa Áina is restoring this high elevation native Hawaiian dryland forest, one of the rarest ecosystems on earth and engages volunteers in planting seedlings, gives educational presentations, and offers educational tours of the site.
Below native Hawaiian Sandalwood (Santalum paniculatum) growing at Háloa Áina.
