The koaia(acacia koaia) is an endemic Hawaiian hardwood tree that normally grows to 25 feet, but can grow taller under certain conditions. It was traditionally found scattered in mesic to dry regions from sea level to about 3000 feet on most of the hawaiian islands including Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Oahu and Kauai. As with many Hawaiian plants, different populations often displayed different traits and habits. Koaia is a close relative of the better known koa(acacia koa) tree. Koa usually occur in the wetter climates and higher elevations of theses Islands. The Koaia's most obvious differences with koa are, a far shorter height(koa regularly grow taller than 100 feet), smaller, thinner Phyllodes(false leaves), and a different arrangement of seeds in their pods. Although koaia's potential wood yield is far lower than koa's, Koaia wood is usually denser, darker, more finely grained(curly) and far scarcer than koa. Koaia wood's density and strength were valued in traditional times and it was used for purposes similar to those of kauila or 'uhi'uhi. Koaia was also called koaie. Wood used for making fish hooks had a particular curved grain that would make for a very strong hook and was called koaia. Wood that would be fashioned into ie or tapa beaters was called koaie. Currently koaia is a federally listed species of concern and only occupies a small fraction of it's former range. reforesting with this native tree can have many benefits that rival and surpass the value of it's beautiful wood.
Here are some reasons that we have chosen koaia as the foundation species of our restoration project.
1. It is a threatened endemic hawaiian species - Since man has step foot on Hawaii we have introduced species that fill our needs and desires often displacing and devaluing the ones that were already here. If no one helps these species grow and thrive they may be gone before we discover their true value.
2. It is a nitrogen fixer - Koaia and other legumes have a symbiotic relationship with different strains of rhizobium that are able to convert the abundant nitrogen present in our atmoshere into a form of nitrogen that is available to plants. Nitrogen is one of the essential macro nutrients needed by plants to survive. Nitrogen fixing trees do a great service to the land and can be hugely beneficial for the fertility of the soil.
3. It supports other native species - In addition to providing nitrogen, koaia collect and capture passing rains, can resist and block strong winds, provide filtered sunlight for understory species like maile and ferns, and produces and abundance of leaf litter that suppresses weeds and adds organic matter to the soil.
4. It has a strong surface root system that will prevent soil erosion
5. It is better suited to our location then koa - Koa trees at lower elevations often are damaged and die due to attacks from twig borers. Koaia seem to be less suceptible to them as well as other pests and diseases.
6. It is a beautiful tree - Many koaias have been grown recently as landscape plants for their umbrella shape, silvery leaves, and distinctly hawaiian look.
7. And of course it is a valuable hardwood - Koaia'a uique characteristics and scarcity make it a very valuable wood. In fact I do not know of anywhere it can be easily purchased, and the practitioners who use it are always on the lookout for available wood. If we choose to harvest selected trees in the future, we can provide a valuable resource for those looking to preserve native practices.
This is how the koaia system will be layed out. There will be 19 rows of koaia containing about 100 trees each oriented perpendicular to the slope making each tree in a row equal in elevation. The result will be rows that will not be straight but rather follow the contour of the land, hence the name contour rows. These rows will be spaced 18 feet apart and individual trees in rows will be spaced 6 feet apart. Each row will be planted in the center of a 5 foot wide weed mat with planting holes cut out that will run the entire length of the row. The top and bottom edges of the weed mat will be secured every 6 feet with 6 inch pins. There will be a 13 foot swath between each row that will be mowed periodically. after every 5 rows of koaia a 35 foot space will be left clear for swales for growing kalo. Swales will be cut and mounded perfectly level to hold large amounts of water and nutrients. The eventual build up of organic matter in this swale will increase it's ability to absorb water and make the soil more biologically active. these swales will recharge the water table and create a moist environment for growing kalo. Even though the koaia system's primary function is to restore fertility to the land, kalo is a non-invasive crop that hopefully can thrive with the forest species without taking away from their function. This system will also include other native and polynesian introduced plant species that will enhance it's fertility, productivity and/or beauty. The total area of this system will be around 7 acres.
The Hawaiian name for these trees "na koa" is very fitting, for they all will work and some will perish for the pono of this aina.
The Hawaiian name for these trees "na koa" is very fitting, for they all will work and some will perish for the pono of this aina.
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