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Cultural and Historical Context
The story of sandalwood in Hawaiʻi runs deep. In old Hawaiʻi, Lāʻau ʻAla was so abundant that early Chinese traders named the islands “Tan Heung Shan”—Sandalwood Mountains. Today, our Lāʻau ʻAla comes exclusively from Hāloa ʻĀina, the only kānaka ʻōiwi-owned operation dedicated to the sustainable restoration of Hawaiian sandalwood forests.
FAQ Highlights
What makes Hawaiian sandalwood different?
Endemic Santalum paniculatum has a unique, earthy, and spiced aromatic profile, with higher santalol content than other varieties.How is sandalwood harvested sustainably?
Only dead and dying trees are harvested, with active replanting to restore the ecosystem.Certifications?
EcoCert organic sandalwood, organic Makko binder from Kyoto, Japan.Why only two ingredients?
Purity and tradition—no additives or synthetics for a clean, natural incense experience.How should I burn these cones?
Light, let smolder, and enjoy in a well-ventilated space.
About Hāloa ʻĀina
Hāloa ʻĀina embodies the spirit of restoration and sustainability through its commitment to reforestation and community education. Dr. Wade Lee and Lillian Lee have taken a remarkable step by reacquiring ancestral land in Kailua-Kona, transforming it from its ranching past back into a thriving ecosystem. This journey is not just about reclaiming land; it’s a dedication to revitalizing the native flora that sustains Hawaiʻi Island’s unique environment.
Dr. Lee’s expertise and passion channel vital resources into the restoration of dryland forests and the rich biodiversity of Hawaiʻi Island as its natural watershed is restored. Through educational initiatives, he inspires his community to participate in reforestation efforts, fostering a kuleana, a collective responsibility, to “mālama ʻāina, mālama wai” - to care for the land and freshwater. As more individuals and families engage in this mission, the initiative becomes a living embodiment of Hawaiian cultural values, promoting a sustainable future for generations to come.
Support for Hāloa ʻĀina aligns with our commitment at Kekoa Creative to honor and uplift Hawaiian culture. By sharing the stories of organizations like this, we reaffirm our values of environmental stewardship and cultural pride, encouraging a deeper connection to the land and its history. Together, we can help rebuild and sustain Hawaiʻi’s precious ecosystems, ensuring that they flourish for years ahead.
How does lāʻau ʻala produced by Hāloa ʻĀina relate to reforestation?
Many people do not know that the Hawaiian Sandalwood, or Lāʻau ʻAla, plays a vital role in its ecosystem as a hemiparasitic plant. It relies on host plants, such as the endemic koa, māmane, and naio trees, for water and nutrients. These trees are unique to Hawaiʻi, creating a rich and biodiverse environment.
At Hāloa ʻĀina, the commitment to reforestation and sustainable forestry is evident in their practices. For every Hawaiian sandalwood tree planted, a koa tree is also nurtured alongside it. This symbiotic relationship is crucial; Lāʻau ʻAla extracts nutrients from the koa while providing it with santalol compounds, which help the host tree combat insects and diseases.
The lifecycle of Lāʻau ʻAla is relatively short compared to its koa counterpart. Hāloa ʻĀina adopts a responsible approach by harvesting only dead and dying Sandalwood plants by helicopter from the Dryland forests, ensuring that the living host trees and surrounding native plants remain unharmed. The harvested sandalwood is then skillfully processed on-site into oil, hydrosol, and wood chips, contributing to a sustainable cycle. Following this, new saplings of Lāʻau ʻAla are planted, continuing the important ecological cycle of growth and regeneration.
