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SEEING IS BELIEVING...OUR TREE STORY IN PICTURES Hawaiian
Tropical Mahogany In 1995 a couple of small entrepreneurs from Kauai made the decision to lease 50 acres of land, recently released from sugar cane production, and grow trees on it. This initial effort, which was, for the most part, highly labor intensive, has rapidly grown into a much more aggressive venture. Today, with 4000 acres under lease and a planting schedule of 200+ acres (120,000+ trees) per year, it is becoming one of the largest new ventures on the island. It is also a business with a lot of good things to say about it. This venture is not only environmentally friendly, but economically realistic. We are successfully demonstrating that sustainable tropical forestry can not only be good for the environment, but it can also be profitable. So far management decisions have not been difficult. Consider the use of nitrogen fixing trees to provide the nutrients rather than using commercial fertilizers. Studies started in the late 70's demonstrated, without question, that a mix of 50% timber trees and 50% of one particular nitrogen fixing tree will not only grow better trees, but they will also produce more usable lumber than if we had planted 100% of the timber trees and commercially fertilized them. The $35,000 per year savings ( for each 200 acres) in fertilizer expenditures is an added bonus. In as much as the species we are planting have good natural resistance to insect and disease problems, pesticides and other chemicals are not necessary. Similarly, our experience has shown that mechanical weed control is less expensive than using herbicides. These decisions mean that no outside input is necessary for the continued success of the venture and as such the project is sustainable. Sustainably grown lumber is commanding a higher price in the marketplace than non-sustainable; up to $1.00 per board foot more. It is easier to make these popular decisions when they increase cash flow at the same time. The trees that are being grown are for the production of hardwood lumber. It is the hope of the management of Hawaiian Mahogany that lumber availability will make it possible to start value added industries such as furniture and cabinet manufacturing. This would be a positive step in helping the island's economy become less dependent on tourism alone and more dependent on a sustainable industry. 85% of the planted area is dedicated to two very fast growing moderate value hardwoods. The other 15% is being planted in slower growing, but much more valuable trees. Many of these more valuable trees are listed as endangered species in their home environment. For some it is illegal to trade in these species internationally ( CITES Treaties ). However, it is not illegal to trade them within your own borders. Brazil can sell all the Brazilian rosewood it wants to, within Brazil. We, however, would have to grow it in the U.S. to trade it here, which is precisely what we are doing. All told, we are planting 55 species of tropical timbers this year, three of which sell for over $100 per board foot. These plantings are not only environmentally friendly and economically viable, but they also help to establish a gene pool which will help ensure the survival of many of these species. For me personally, this is a dream rapidly turning to reality. For the rest of the investors, there is significant economic potential, and for most, great personal satisfaction. Bill
Cowern, President Click
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