Bayer
Molokai Site
Kaunakakai, Hawaii, United States
Certified through 2024
The Bayer site in Hawai'i is a 1,244-acre farm on the island of Molokai that uses 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 and Impacts
- Cook pines are planted as windbreaks on the leeward side of any water diversions, followed by a second and sometimes third planting of native Hawai'ian 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.