Pull out your tape measure, camera and a map; it’s time to locate and nominate Hawaii’s native tree species to be crowned a National Champion Big Tree.
Eighteen trees in Hawaii — 12 of which grow on Hawaii Island — are currently listed among the nearly 700 National Champion Big Trees on the National Register of Big Trees, a program run by preservation group American Forests.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife is seeking nominations for the 2020 national register with nominations due by May 31.
“This competition aims to spotlight the largest trees of native species recognized in the registry, as well as raise awareness about the importance of healthy trees and forests,” the department said in a press release.
The National Register of Big Trees is a program run by American Forests, a national nonprofit organization that advocates for the protection and expansion of America’s forests. Its stated goal is to preserve and promote the iconic stature of trees and to educate people about the key role trees and forests play in sustaining a healthy environment.
Each year, the organization awards hundreds of big trees across the nation with the title. Each tree is also documented in the American Forests’ semiannual publication “National Register of Big Trees.”
Currently, the American Forests database identifies 21 tree species for the State of Hawaii, 13 of which are endemic to the islands, according to the department. Hawaii has taken part in the competition since 2011.
Candidates for the register are koa, lama, wiliwili, ‘ohi‘a ha, ‘ohi‘a ai, koki‘o ke‘oke‘o, ma‘o hau hele, kawa‘u, kolea lau nui, olupua, papala kepau, nenelau, lonomea, mamane, niu, hau, manele, a‘alii, a‘e, koki‘o ‘ula, and wauke, according to the Hawaii Big Tree Program website.
Three trees – the a’e, koki‘o ‘ula, and wauke – have yet to be crowned in the Hawaii Big Tree Competition. If nominated, one of these trees will likely be crowned a national champion.
“While we continue to find new champions for the database yearly, we still have not crowned a champion for every recognized tree,” the department said. “The community is invited to find new champion trees for undiscovered species as well as existing species.”
To nominate a tree, contact Hawaii Big Tree Coordinator Brayden Aki by calling (808) 587-0164 or via email to fw.adm1.ekahi.intern@hawaii.gov.
Nominations must include tree measurements and directions to, and geographic coordinates of, the tree. Photos are also suggested. State and public forest reserves or other land tracts are good areas to find large trees. Permission must be secured before entering private land.
To replace a current champion, the department said a challenger tree must have more total points. Points are calculated using trunk circumference, height, and crown spread measurements.
For more information, including details on species and a map of where current Hawaii Big Tree Competition champions are located, visit https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/info/big-tree.
Hawaii Island trees on the register are:
• An acacia koa, or koa, which was found in the Kona Hema Preserve in South Kona and measures 115 feet in height
• A lama, or Hawaiian ebony, which was found in the Puu Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve and measures 18 feet in height
• A kolea lau nui, or Myrsine lessertiana, which was found in Kipukapuaulu within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and measures 59 feet in height
• A wiliwili, or Erythrina sandwicensis, which was found in the Waikoloa Dry Forest and measures 40 feet in height
• A kawa‘u, or Hawaiian holly, which was found in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and measures 50 feet in height
• A hau, or sea hibiscus, which was found in Kailua-Kona and measures 20 feet in height
• An olopua, or Hawaiian olive tree, which was found at Puu Wa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve and measures 32 feet in height
• A nenelau, or Hawaiian sumac, which was found in Kaumana and measures 19 feet in height
• A Pisonia brunoniana, or papala kepau, which was found within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and measures 53 feet in height
• An a‘ali‘i, or hopbush, which was found in the Kona Hema Preserve and measures 38 feet in height
• A manele, or soapberry wingleaf, which was found in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and measures 71 feet in height
• A mamane, or Sophora chrysophylla, which was found in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and measures 24 feet in height
