Sponsored by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and American Forests, the Hawaii Big Tree Competition focuses attention on the largest trees of particular native species as a way to raise awareness about the importance of healthy trees and forests.
This national competition comes in light of the falling of two previous Hawaii Big Tree champions: the coconut tree from Hawaii Kai popularly known as “Coco,” and an aalii tree from the Maui Botanical Gardens. The public is invited to find new champions for these species, as well as the other 19 eligible species acknowledged by American Forests.
The eight current Hawaiian champions are all on Hawaii Island: Wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis) in Waikoloa dry forest, Olopua (Nestegis sandwicensis) in Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, Papalakepau (Pisonia brunoniana) in Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, Mamane (Sophora chrysophylla) in Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, Kolea lau nui (Myrsine lessertiana) in Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, Koa (Acacia koa) in Kona Hema Preserve, South Kona, Hau (Hibiscus tiliaceus) in Hulihee Palace, Manele (Sophora chrysophylla) in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. To replace a current champion, the challenger tree must have more total points.
The competition does not have a champion for the following Hawaiian species that are eligible:
Lama (Diospyros sandwicensis), ohia ha (Syzygium sandwicense), ohia ai (Syzygium malaccense), kokio keokeo (Hibiscus arnottianus), Mao hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei), Aloalo (Hibiscus clayii), Kawau (Ilex anomala), Nenelau (Rhus sandwicensis), lonomea (Sapindus oahuensis), Ae (Zanthoxylum oahuense), wauke (Broussonetia papyrifera.)
Points are totalled by adding the trunk circumference in inches, the height in feet plus ¼ of the average crown spread in feet.
To nominate a tree, contact the Hawaii Big Tree Coordinator Krista Lizardi at 587-0164 or Krista.M.Lizardi@hawaii.gov and provide the tree height, trunk circumference, and average crown spread and the tree’s specific location. GPS coordinates are appreciated.