Koa Grower & Land Manager Survey

HFIA InternUniversity of Hawai ̕i at Hilo Tropical Conservation Biology & Environmental Science Graduate Program

Julie Gaertner Photo Credit: J.B. Friday

2005 Koa Forest: Hawai’i GAP Analysis

Map credit: Gon 2006 and Jacobi 1990.

Table 1. Total forested area and koa-associated forest across the Hawaiian Islands.

AcresTotal Land Total

ForestKoa

Forest%

Forest%

KoaHawai’i 2,498,979 776,125 195,000 31 25Maui 468,262 196,584 8,990 42 5O’ahu 384,335 165,996 7,104 43 4Kaua’i 356,019 175,287 5,916 49 3Moloka’i 166,453 59,557 0 36 0

Totals 3,874,048 1,373,549 217,010 35 16

Data : State of Hawaii GAP Analysis Project. GAP data produced in 2005. Map Credit: Gon 2006.

Reference : Baker, P. J.; Scowcroft P. G.; Ewel J. J. 2009. Koa (Acacia koa) Ecology and Silviculture . Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-211. Albany, CA: USDA, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station 129 p.

2012 Koa Symposium Workshop

Current (1980), Former & Potential Koa Distribution

Map credit: Dwight Matsuwaki

2012 Koa Symposium Workshop: 30,517 acres

•• Seed Production

•• Cultural Significance

•• Erosion Control

•• Regeneration on Residential Lots

•• Propagation Methods

•• Hybrid Testing & Investment

2012 Survey Results

What are your goals for growing koa?

Timber In-vestment

23%

Wildlife Habitat26%

Water Quality & Restoration

14%

Land Beautification18%

Right thing to do18%

37 completed surveys

Acres Elevation (ft)

Hawai’̕i Island Acres & Elevation

<529%

5-2414%

25-9910%

100-4997%

500+40%

< 2,00018%

2,001-4,00031%

4,001-6,00041%

>6,00010%

37 Total Responses

Survey Data <5 5-24 25-99 100-499 500+ Total Response 12 6 4 3 17Acres 30 87 248 898.5 8500 9764

Koa distribution on Maui

Acres Elevation (ft)

<2,000 17%

2,001-4,000 33%

4,001-6,000 50%

< 5 50%

25-9917%

500+33%

6 responses

Total Land Total Forest Koa Forest % Forest % KoaMaui Acres 468,262 196,584 8,990 42 5Data Source: State of Hawaii GAP Analysis Project. GAP data produced in 2005.

Koa distribution on O’ahuAcres Elevation (ft)

<2,000 67%

4,000-6,00033%

< 5 33%

500+67%

3 responses

Total Land Total Forest Koa Forest % Forest % KoaO’ahu Acres 384,335 165,996 7,104 43 4Data Source: State of Hawaii GAP Analysis Project. GAP data produced in 2005.

< 5 50%

500+ 50%

Kauai̕Acres

<2000

50%

4,0016,000

50%

Elevation (ft)

Moloka’i

4,001-6,000 ft100%500+ acres

100%

2 responses

1 response

Total Land Total Forest Koa Forest % Forest % KoaKaua’i 356,019 175,287 5,916 49 3Moloka’i 166,453 59,557 0 36 0Data Source: State of Hawaii GAP Analysis Project. GAP data produced in 2005.

Planted41%

Natural Regeneration13%

Both46%

Did you plant koa or allow it to regenerate naturally?

36 completed surveysPhoto Credit: J.B. Friday

Picked myself

35%

Friend gave it to me15%

Purchased seedlings

25%

N/A scarifi-cation25%

planting method

How was koa established and what was the seed source?

•• Natural regeneration & volunteers.

•• Mauna Kea seed source

•• Refuge staff provided seed

•• Unknown

36 completed surveysPhoto Credit: J.B. Friday

Fertilize14%

Pruning19%

Manual Weed Control

17%

Chemical Weed Control

30%

None19%

What’s being done beyond the establishment phase?

36 completed surveysPhoto Credits: J.B. Friday

< 2 yrs8%

2-5 yrs22%

6-10 yrs25%

11-14 yrs17%

15+ yrs28%

How long have you been growing koa?

36 completed surveys Photo Credit: J.B. Friday

Yes75%

No25%

Is it easy to get seeds/seedlings/technical assistance?

Yes25%

No75%

Do you sell koa wood or wood products?

36 completed surveysPhoto Credit: J.B. Friday

Photo Credit: J.B. Friday

Seed Supply16%

Costs33%

Unknown Outcomes

27%

Legal Questions

2%

Diseases22%

What are your constraints/limitations in growing koa?

•• Difficulty collecting seed from canopy

•• Endangered species safe harbor

•• Pests (moth, black twig borer)

•• Drought conditions

•• Lack of genetic and BMP research

•• Time & distance

•• Lack of political support for koa restoration in State Forest Reserves

36 completed surveys

Thanks to the Koa Symposium Planning Committee for your support.

Mike RobinsonHeather Gallo-SimmonsSheri MannJ.B. FridayPaul ScowcroftNick KochKama DancilCheyenne PerryMichael ConstantinidesOrlo SteelePeter SimmonsTravis Idol

Photo Credit: J.B. Friday