Hawaiʻi Wood Utilization Discovery and Market Development

Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
Request for Interest (RFI)
Hawaii Wood Utilization Discovery and Market Development and Strategic Facilitation
Convening the Hawaii Wood Utilization Team and Advancing Local Wood Market & Product
Development.
Project Description
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife
(DOFAW), seeks a qualified contractor to facilitate, coordinate, and advance
implementation of the Hawaii Wood Utilization Team (HWUT) as part of the USDA Forest
Service-funded Scaling Wood Markets in Hawaii initiative.
Hawaii possesses significant forest resources capable of supporting a stronger local wood
products economy. While high-value koa continues to support a niche market, tens of
thousands of acres of mature eucalyptus plantations and other managed forests remain
underutilized because of long-standing barriers related to harvesting, transportation,
processing, manufacturing, marketing, and product demand.
Rather than conducting a traditional assessment alone, this project brings together buyers,
mills, processors, manufacturers, builders, researchers, government agencies, and other
stakeholders to systematically identify barriers to market development and to
collaboratively implement practical solutions throughout the project period - potentially
identifying a few products that would support forest management activities and the
economy.
The selected contractor will serve as facilitator, coordinator, and technical support for the
Hawaii Wood Utilization Team, helping transform discussion into measurable progress
while developing a long-term roadmap for expanding Hawaii's wood products industry.
This project is intended to move beyond producing another assessment. The desired
outcome is a coordinated statewide effort that identifies barriers, implements practical
solutions where feasible during the project period, and establishes a clear roadmap for
expanding Hawaii's wood products industry.
Detailed Scope
Re-establish and coordinate the Hawaii Wood Utilization Team as a statewide
collaborative. Use existing studies and interviews to Identify barriers that limit
development of local wood products markets. Support a roadmap of practical
implementation of solutions identified during the project that can increase utilization of
locally grown wood, particularly eucalyptus. Create an ongoing forum for partnerships
among government agencies, private industry, landowners, researchers, architects,
builders, and community organizations.

Produce a strategic roadmap for continued growth of Hawaii's wood utilization sector that
includes policy, practice and investments.
Task 1 - Project Coordination and Facilitation
Organize regular meetings with participants
Prepare agendas
Facilitate discussions and questions
Document meeting outcomes and share notes
Track action items and follow up
Coordinate communication
Maintain project momentum, progress and next steps in and efficient manner.
Task 2 - Market Barrier Analysis
Generalized inventory of spp using existing knowledge but knowing data is likely to be
general.
Understanding operational elements of supply-side dynamics, including costs around
Harvesting, Transportation, Milling, Kiln drying, and secondary manufacturing.
Product development, Marketing, Distribution, procurement, workforce investment
opportunities.
Develop a demand-side component that is robust, knowledgeable and willing to support
the local wood economy and forest management needs.
Other constraints that emerge.
Task 3 - Implementation Support
Develop a Road Map that identifies potential for buyers, coordinates existing
demonstration projects, and raises visibility on this issue.
Assist pilot product development, etc.
Task 5 - Strategic Roadmap
Priority actions
Investment recommendations
Policy recommendations
Funding opportunities
Partnerships

Five-year implementation roadmap
Deliverables
Project Plan
Meeting agendas and summaries
Stakeholder database and online assets maps with suggestions
Barrier assessment
Workshop materials
Draft Hawaii Wood Utilization Roadmap/strategy
Final report and presentation
Desired Qualifications
Built environment and sustainability background
Forest products or wood utilization or other product experience
Collaborative facilitation and team management
Project management and stakeholder engagement
Business or market development and market landscape analysis
Knowledge of Hawaii forests is useful but not critical.
Evaluation Criteria
Criterion Points
Facilitation and collaborative 15
leadership
Technical knowledge of products and 15
built environment and wood utilization
Project management and 10
implementation
Understanding of Hawais industries 10
Quality and feasibility of work plan 10

Reporting
The funded project must provide a final grant accomplishment report and financial status
report to the Forestry Program, DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
Term of Grant Period
Funding for this RFI is associated with the State's fiscal year 2027 and federal fiscal year
2027-28. The selected project will start upon award and run until September 1, 2027.
Timeline:
* RFI open for submissions: August 17, 2026 (closes August 28, 2025)
* Award announced: September 5, 2025
* Project period: September 15, 2026 (or date of purchase order) - June 30, 2027 with
extensions upon mutual agreement at least 30 days in advance.
* Final invoice and report due: July 15, 2027