Molokai Site

About the Program

The Bayer site in Hawaii is a 1244 acre farm on the island of Molokai that is using vegetation as a windbreak to prevent erosion, protect plantings and stabilize the soils. Non-native (but locally naturalized) Cook Pines are planted with a variety of native shrubs to create multilayered windbreaks throughout the farm.

Practices

• Cook Pines are planted as windbreaks on the leeward side of  any water diversions, followed by a second and sometimes third planting of of native Hawaiian trees and shrubs immediately adjacent. The goal is to create a 30-40 foot windbreak every 500 feet for the entirety of the farm.
• Trees and shrubs are monitored annually for growth and survival.
• Non-native deer browse and weed issues are the primary management challenges.