POTENTIAL FOR SHORT-ROTATION INTENSIVE-CULTURE HARDWOOD PRODUCTION INHAWAII

Growth data for three promising tropical hardwoods, Eucalyptus grandis , E. saligna and Leucaena leucocephala, from field trials in Hawaii we re analyzed to determine relationships between yield and soil, climati c, and management variables. Species- and site-specific regression mod els were developed that feature growth age, planting density, nitrogen fertilizer application, temperature, rainfall and solar radiation, so il nitrogen content and pH value, and elevation as independent variabl es. Each of these models was then incorporated into a system model for estimating short-rotation intensive-culture (SRIC) woody biomass prod uction costs, including establishment, maintenance, harvesting, transp ort and storage costs. By coupling the system model results with a geo graphical information system, yield (dry Mg) and delivered cost of bio mass (US$ dry Mg--l) were estimated for each species at all locations identified as potentially available for tree plantations on the island s of Kauai, Molokai, Maul, and Hawaii.