Afforestation on the Big Island of Hawaii: Restoring native hardwood forests and enhancing multiple ecosystem services

This 1200-acre project will restore a biodiverse native forest on land that was part of a cattle ranch on the northern slopes of Mauna Kea, Hawai`i. It focuses on the keystone species of the natural forest ecosystem, Acacia koa (koa). Koa will be planted in a biodiverse native species mixture for conservation on 75% of the area and as a timber production monoculture on 25% of the area. Approximately 125,000 carbon certificates are expected to be created in this project’s 50-year crediting period. Critical habitat will be restored for endangered animals and plant species that have been absent from the site for decades will be reintroduced.