North America Farms
Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project
Big Island, Hawaii, USA
Products Sourced From This Ranch
The start of Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project
Young Living’s investment in the Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project, as well as its distillery and lab, is how we work together to preserve the deep connection that Hawaiians have with their island and its rich history. At this scenic Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood farm, only the dead wood from sandalwood trees is harvested in order to help maintain ecological balance, and sandalwood seedlings are planted with companion trees to mirror native healthy sandalwood forests as part of a 40,000-acre reforestation project to ensure the future of this important species.
Young Living Founder D. Gary Young played a pivotal role in the growth of the Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project. When he, Co-Founder Mary Young, and their family visited the Big Island, it became clear that he shared the same passion for conservation as the project’s founder and owner, Wade Lee. Together, they envisioned using the dead and dying sandalwood that the forest was providing to create a sustainable, beloved product. Through this partnership with Young Living, the reforestation project is now a beautiful and thriving Hawaiian sandalwood forest that provides the world with precious Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood™ essential oil.
Young Living Founder D. Gary Young played a pivotal role in the growth of the Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project. When he, Co-Founder Mary Young, and their family visited the Big Island, it became clear that he shared the same passion for conservation as the project’s founder and owner, Wade Lee. Together, they envisioned using the dead and dying sandalwood that the forest was providing to create a sustainable, beloved product. Through this partnership with Young Living, the reforestation project is now a beautiful and thriving Hawaiian sandalwood forest that provides the world with precious Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood™ essential oil.
Seed to Seal® quality commitment
Out of respect for the land, as well as to align with Seed to Seal®’s regenerative agriculture priorities, the staff at the Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood reforestation project actively work to support the regrowth of the area’s previously deforested mountains.
Oil highlight
Hawaiian sandalwood, or Santalum paniculatum, grows at a higher altitude than other sandalwood trees and was once traded exclusively by Hawaiian royalty. That’s why the essential oil extracted from the trees is called “Royal” Hawaiian Sandalwood. The oil is especially high in santalol and has a smooth, sweet aroma.
Our focus on conservation
Sandalwood Reforestation Project
Young Living’s partnership with the Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project is a great example of how Young Living and our partners strive to preserve cultural and natural values.
Sandalwood is 1 of 13 different native species that we use in our reforestation efforts. The seeds for all 13 species are collected by hand, propagated in our greenhouse, and then planted in an area that spans over 40,000 acres.
This reforestation project is a family-run business and is deeply rooted in Hawaiian values with an emphasis on traditional agriculture and cultivation practices.
Our forest management plan dictates that only dead and/or dying sandalwood trees can be harvested and used to produce Sandalwood oil and hydrosol. This helps to maintain the ecological balance on the island and aligns with the deeply rooted Hawaiian belief in humans’ respectful relationship with the land.
On the Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood farm, seedlings are planted every year to replenish the sandalwood forest. The area that is being replanted is a tropical dryland forest, which is one of the rarest ecosystems in the world.
Preventing fires. With funds acquired through product sales, the Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project has built over 10 miles of fencing and over 15 miles of fire breaks to protect the sandalwood forest from fires, which are common in the area due to frequent lightning strikes.
Preserving the land. The Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project occupies one of the rarest ecosystems in the world, a tropical dryland forest. This location on the Big Island has contributed to the success of reforestation projects, supporting the deeply rooted Hawaiian value of humans cultivating a respectful relationship with the land
Relying on renewable energy. Since the project is located on a remote part of the Big Island, its power must be created or gathered on site. All electricity used in the cabin living quarters and education center is fed by more than 60 solar roof panels
This project is completely off the grid and is located at an elevation of nearly 6,000 feet. Electricity is produced with the help of over 60 solar panels to power the operation.
Sandalwood is 1 of 13 different native species that we use in our reforestation efforts. The seeds for all 13 species are collected by hand, propagated in our greenhouse, and then planted in an area that spans over 40,000 acres.
This reforestation project is a family-run business and is deeply rooted in Hawaiian values with an emphasis on traditional agriculture and cultivation practices.
Our forest management plan dictates that only dead and/or dying sandalwood trees can be harvested and used to produce Sandalwood oil and hydrosol. This helps to maintain the ecological balance on the island and aligns with the deeply rooted Hawaiian belief in humans’ respectful relationship with the land.
On the Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood farm, seedlings are planted every year to replenish the sandalwood forest. The area that is being replanted is a tropical dryland forest, which is one of the rarest ecosystems in the world.
Preventing fires. With funds acquired through product sales, the Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project has built over 10 miles of fencing and over 15 miles of fire breaks to protect the sandalwood forest from fires, which are common in the area due to frequent lightning strikes.
Preserving the land. The Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project occupies one of the rarest ecosystems in the world, a tropical dryland forest. This location on the Big Island has contributed to the success of reforestation projects, supporting the deeply rooted Hawaiian value of humans cultivating a respectful relationship with the land
Relying on renewable energy. Since the project is located on a remote part of the Big Island, its power must be created or gathered on site. All electricity used in the cabin living quarters and education center is fed by more than 60 solar roof panels
This project is completely off the grid and is located at an elevation of nearly 6,000 feet. Electricity is produced with the help of over 60 solar panels to power the operation.
Did you know?
The average age of harvested sandalwood trees is 61 years old. Since the Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project started in 2010, workers have planted millions of new native Hawaiian trees on its 3,000 acres.
Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood Hydrosol is extracted by steam distilling wood from mature sandalwood trees native to the Hawaiian Islands. During the distillation process, the essential oil is separated from the hydrosol, which is also known as distillation water or floral water.
Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood Hydrosol has a light, woodsy scent and is celebrated for hydrating skin and hair and adding a welcoming aroma to linens and the air in your home.
"Young Living and the Kona Sandalwood Reforestation Project in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, are committed partners to the conservation and reforestation of sandalwood trees. Gary invited Young Living brand partners from all over the world to join him in planting trees to help restore this beautiful, native tree that grows in such a unique climate. This farm has become an important destination for Young Living events held in Hawaii."
–Mary Young, Young Living Co-Founder and CEO
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