Koa manufacturer squeezed out by conservation regulations

I IQUIDATION of the hCampbell-Burns Wood Products Co., Inc., logging and sawmill operation in Hilo, Hi., is underway with the company looking for a new enterprise, according to Glennon D. Mueller, president of the firm which was primarily a manufacturer of koa hardwood flitches and lumber.

In operation since April, 1977 , the facility accounted for approximately 7 5o/o of all koa hardwood produced in the Hawaiian Islands. It had employed 22people.

The reason for discontinuing logging and sawmill operations, according to Mueller, was the inability to purchase koa logs. Historically, Campbell-Burns has purchased koa timber from private landowners. Although koa timber is still growing on both private and public lands, the company has encountered serious problems in attempting to purchase koa sawlogs due to the obstacle of conservation district regulations. Several private landowners would like to sell koa timber to them.

Mueller explained, but the conservation district regulations make this a formidable task that is difficult to economically justify.

Story at a Glance

Hawaiian hardwood producer quits . . . conseruation regulations block purchase of koa sawlogs . . . elforts in selective harvesting and reforestation stymied.

In spite of the restrictions associated with harvesting koa timber, the timber resource is dying, Mueller said, and at some point in time the trees will not be suitable for use. This, he adds, has been documented by experts with published information.

Campbell-Burns had attempted to promote a program of selective koa harvesting and intensified koa reforestation for quite some time. With the exception of the koa reforestation projects undertaken by the Bishop Estate, both private and public landowners in Hawaii have been reluctant to participate in selective harvesting and reforestation programs to save the koa forests, Mueller said.

For the past six years, he con-

LAST TR0PHY awarded to the late Coach Bear Bryant, University of Alabama, (right) was the Liberty Bowl Coach Trophy oresented in December,1982, bv Beth Jorgensen, Lumbermen's Club of M'emphis Lumber Lady Fair for 1982-83 and a University of Alabama student. The trophy, which is carved annually by her father William "Ronny" Jorgensen, is a replica of the Liberty Bell in solid walnut. Miss Jorgensen's great-grandlather established the lumber industry's first custom kiln drying concern in 1898, according lo club rec0rds.