Preserving Hawaii's Native Forest Trees To Support Hawaii's Native Bird Life

by George Yasuda

A native koa tree hangs over this Tiare Lani coffee orchard. George Yasuda pictured to the left supports the co-existance between modern agriculture and the natural environment.

The norm of Hawaii’s land use is to remove all or most of the native trees in order to develop the land. The landscape of the beautiful mountain sides of Kona has experienced a decrease in population of native trees such as koa, sandalwood and ohia. It is sad to see trees 200 years and older removed.

These types of trees are superb nesting places and sources of food for rare birds such as the ‘apapani, ‘i’iwi, ‘amakihi, ‘elepaio and the ‘oma’o.

The beauty of preserving these trees is not just visual, there are many other rewards. Visiting areas that have preserved these trees alerts individuals to the grandeur and wisdom in preservation of natural habitats. Tiare Lani Coffee’s policy is to try and preserve such beauty and to coexist with this natural grandeur.

Tiare Lani Coffee uses earth-friendly techniques and products to maintain and enhance the environment.

To learn more about proper coffee orchard care call George Yasuda at Tiare Lani Coffee. 808-324-1495 or email him at tiarelc@gte.net

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Story appeared originally in Coffee Times print magazine and appears online for archival purposes only. Any use or reprinting of these stories without the expressed written consent of the author is prohibited.