The Sandalwood Golf Course in Waikapu Valley is the site of an unusual reforestation project and an effort to propagate indigenous Hawaiian plants and trees. Many of these plants are in danger of becoming extinct, such as the sandalwood tree.

Centuries ago thousands of sandalwood trees covered the land, but were harvested by traders. Now, in order to revive this native species in the area, there are 400 8-10 inch seedlings growing with a goal of planting at least 1,000 trees in the next four to five years. Eventually these beautiful trees (Santalum haleakalae and other species of sandalwood), specified by the landscape architect Alan Kutsunai of Belt, Collins & Associates, will stagger the fairways of the Sandalwood Golf Course.

Sandalwood is a 146-acre resort course designed by Golf Course Architect Robin Nelson, of Nelson & Wright in Honolulu. It has 18 challenging holes, par 72 and a driving range along with practice and putting greens. Sandalwood's location commands a view of both east Maui and the Pacific Ocean.

Charles Lindsey, Sandalwood's facilities maintenance manager and the past president of the Native Hawaiian Plant Society, described the golf course as an ideal site for plant preservation. According to Lindsey, "A golf course is maintained, protected, watered and fertilized. The landscape is natural and there are no cattle to trample the plants (a previous problem)." Other varieties of native plants that have been preserved in this area include Kukui trees, varieties of portulaca, creeping naupaka, native hibiscus, and nehe. LASN