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The state Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday approved a proposal to convert more than 550 acres of land in Waimea into a koa forest.
The Kapoaula Koa Forest Management Plan would plant koa and other species of trees throughout 568 acres in Waimea in order to generate a sustainable source of koa wood to manufacture musical instruments.
The project was proposed by Paniolo Tonewoods, a collaboration between guitar manufacturer Taylor Guitars and Washington wood supplier Pacific Rim Tonewoods.
With the project approved, the first trees are expected to be planted within a decade, and the first harvesting is expected to take place at least 30 years later.