Forest Restoration
ʻIliahi Restoration
Working toward the return of native Hawaiian sandalwood.
A proposed long-term community stewardship and acquisition initiative currently under development. No public financial participation program is currently being offered.
Project Overview
ʻIliahi Restoration
ʻIliahi (native sandalwood) was once part of Hawaiʻi's native forests before historic depletion. This project explores the very long-term possibility of ʻiliahi recovery — approached with caution, given the slow growth and ecological sensitivity of the species.
Why It Matters
ʻIliahi is culturally and ecologically significant. Its return would represent a multi-generational commitment. Because ʻiliahi grows slowly and depends on healthy host plants, any restoration must be patient, science-guided, and culturally informed.
At a Glance
- Project Status
Exploratory — research phase
No planting is planned until research and community guidance are complete.
- Acres Involved
To be determined
ʻIliahi recovery is measured in decades, not seasons. Figures are illustrative only.
- Location
Illustrative — suitable mid-to-upper forest sites. Specific locations to be confirmed with botanists and cultural practitioners.
Project Goals
What this project is working toward
These are aspirational goals for the direction of the work, not commitments that every goal will be achieved.
Assess suitable habitat and remaining ʻiliahi presence
Research appropriate host-plant pairings
Propagate ʻiliahi only where conditions support long-term survival
Protect any existing trees before introducing new ones
Native Species
Species this work centers on
- ʻIliahi (Santalum spp.)
- Koa
- ʻŌhiʻa
- Native host understory
Timeline
Project phases
Phase 1 — Research
Habitat assessment and host-plant research.
Phase 2 — Propagate
Cautious propagation in controlled conditions.
Phase 3 — Trial
Small, monitored trial plantings.
Phase 4 — Long-term monitoring
Decades-long observation of survival and spread.
Partners
Who this work depends on
- To be confirmed — botanists, cultural practitioners, and forest researchers.
Volunteer Opportunities
Ways to take part
Media
Photos & Video
Project video — to be added
A short project video will be added once documentation is available.
Reports
Project documents
ʻIliahi Recovery Research Note
Preliminary research note. Illustrative draft.
Illustrative draftLatest Updates
Project news
—
No updates yet
Research-phase updates will be posted here as they become available.
Project Metrics
How progress could be tracked
The metrics below are preliminary and illustrative placeholders only. They do not represent actual progress and will be replaced with verified data once field work and monitoring begin.
Acres restored
0
IllustrativeʻIliahi established
0
IllustrativeTrial sites
0
IllustrativeKeep Exploring
Other restoration projects
Koa Forest Restoration
Returning the native canopy to Molokaʻi's upper slopes.
Native Plant Restoration
Rebuilding the understory that holds the whole forest together.
Watershed Restoration
Healing the slopes that feed Molokaʻi's streams and aquifers.
Wildlife Habitat
Restoring the conditions native species need to survive.
Community Volunteer Projects
Bringing kūpuna, keiki, and neighbors into the work of restoration.
Important Notice
This project page describes a concept under development. It is not a promise or guarantee that any specific project, outcome, or acreage will occur. All metrics, timelines, and status notes are preliminary and illustrative. This is a proposed long-term community stewardship and acquisition initiative currently under development. No public financial participation program is currently being offered.