HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0799.000 1996-1998
Fact Sheet
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Forestry & Wildlife
WAIAKEA TIMBER MANAGEMENT AREA
What is the Waiakea Timber Management Area (WTMA)? The WTMA is an 11,000 acre parcel of
land within the Waiakea, Olaa, Upper Waiakea Forest Reserves and Puu Makaala Natural Area Reserve
on the island of Hawaii. Combined, these four Reserves comprise 58,740 acres, ranging from 380 feet in
elevation on Stainback Highway up to 6000 feet, between Volcano National Park and Saddle Road (see
attached map). The majority of the land consists of native forests (47,080 acres). Approximately 11,660
acres were cleared in the early 1960's and planted with introduced timber species, which are now mature
and ready for harvest. There are no absolutely no plans to clear any more native forests in the area.
When and why was the area planted? The original purpose of the WTMA was to establish a forest
resource base which could provide a constant wood supply for Hawaii's forest products industry. In
1956, the Division of Forestry began establishing an arboretum of 84 introduced tree species. The
purpose of these plantings were to evaluate the growth and survival potential of commercial timber species
for the Waiakea. area. Beginning in 1959, major planting started and continued up through 1968.
Approximately 350 acres of land formerly leased to the Puna Sugar Company was planted in the early
1980's. Today, approximately 60-80 acres are being planted annually. The area has a grid of roads which
divide the tree plantings in 40 acre blocks.
What kind of trees are in the WTMA today? During initial land clearing operations, large native trees
such as Ohi' a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), Koa (Acacia koa), and Loulu (Pritchardia spp) were left
undisturbed. Recent inventory data indicate the current acreage breakdown: Australian Red Cedar ( "Poona
ciliata) 3474 acres; Tropical Ash (Frarinus uhdei) 2064 acres; Queensland Maple (Flindersia braleyana)
1487 acres; Eucalyptus saligna & E. grandis 3527 acres; E. robusta 98 acres; E. deghipta & E. ptlularis
49 acres, Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) 101 acres; Nepal Alder (Alnus nepalensis) 24 acres; Koa 272 acres,
Ohi'a lehua 35 acres; mixed hardwoods 21 acres. Primary understory species include Hapuu (Ctbotium
spp.), Guava (Psidium spp.), uluhe (Dicranopteris spp.), Palm grass (Setaria palmifolia), Melastoma
spp., and scattered native Hawaiian understory shrub species.
Has any timber or other forest products been harvested from the WTMA?: From 1985 to 1988, Puna
Sugar Company and the State entered into a timber harvest agreement for 2000 acres of Eucalyptus. The
harvested trees were converted into wood chips and used to produce power at a local electrical generator
plant. This area has subsequently grown back. Little to no harvesting of other planted hardwoods has
occurred with the exception of small-scale sales or timber salvage operations. Treefern have grown back
vigorously in the understory of many of the plantations and harvesting occurred in the early 1970's with
approximately 16,000 cubic feet of logs removed and sold for use in the flower and landscape industry.
What is the current volume and potential use of the timber within the WTMA? Based on a survey
which is currently in progress, timber volumes within the WTMA have been initially estimated, with
further data processing pending. Conservatively, the WTMA contains over 43,000,000 board feet of
timber, which is enough wood to build and panel approximately 4,300 houses. Initial test processing for
plywood and veneer from Eucalyptus and Queensland Maple trees within the WTMA has been very
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Fact Sheet
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Forestry & Wildlife
promising. Queensland Maple and Australian Red Cedar are two of Australia's most valuable rain forest
species and sustainable grown trees of these species could provide Hawaii's forest industry an valuable
niche in the high-value hardwood market.
What are the current public uses in the area? Although established for commercial timber, the WTMA
does provide public recreation which will be considered in any subsequent increased commercial forestry
activities. The WTMA and surrounding native forests are used extensively for wild pig hunting.
Motorcycle riders use the well developed road network within the WTMA as well as occasional mountain
bikers, horseback riders, auto touring and a few hikers. The collection of fruits and lei making materials
are popular among locals and non-commercial permits are issued for gathering firewood, maile, fern
shoots, and greenery for floral arrangements free of charge.
What are the objectives of the WTMA management plan? The primary objective is implementation of
sustainable management actions which support conservation, economic, and social goals. These goals can
be broadly grouped within the following categories:
)P-Forest health )P-Commercial activities >Recreation
>Forest gathering )'-Education and Research )P-Hunting
How will the plan be developed? A team of DOFAW professionals representing many disciplines is in
the process of developing a first draft management plan. The resulting document will then be used as a
departure point for public discussions between Big Island community members and other governmental
agencies. Through open dialogue and input, the objective is to create a mutually agreeable plan for the
management of natural resources within the WTMA that supports Hawaii's growing forest industry and
tits within the broader management context of the adjacent native forests. The final management plan will
be the basis for a formal Environmental Assessment done under HRS 343. Once both items are approved
and in place, active timber management within the area can be initiated.
How can the forests of the WTMA encourage forest industry development? Lumber or solid wood
can be used for craft items, furniture and cabinetry, flooring, house construction, and posts and fencing.
High-quality veneer can be used as plywood face stock for making high-value furniture, while lower veneer
grades provide construction quality plywood. With any log and wood processing industry, waste wood
and sawdust will be generated. This material can be utilized as chips for oriented strand board, pulp for
paper production, or biomass for fuel and electrical generation. The products above are essentially listed
from highest to lowest value.
What is the overall goal in utilizing the public forest resources within the WTMA? The State's goal
is to help create a sustainable forest industry that enhances the productivity and health of Hawaii's forests,
restores and protects the forest environment, creates value and jobs from each tree harvested, and
strengthen forest communities. To achieve this, we need to do more than just grow trees for commercial
use. Existing public forest resources should be strategically utilized to accelerate processing investments
that encourage additional wood manufacturing facilities in Hawaii to increase employment opportunities.
In this process, small-scale local wood users should not be forgotten as they provide a crucial component
of a value-added forest industry.
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