New website and directory promote the wood products industry

The Hawaii Wood Utilization Team (HWUT) has launched a new website and a research directory designed to inform and connect business people and consumers to the state’s lumber industry.

Developed by Hawai’i Forest Industry Association (HFIA), the Hawaii Wood Products Directory lists hundreds of companies doing business related to wood, including joiners, furniture and cabinet makers, forest owners, joinery manufacturers, architects, retail stores, consultants and contractors.

“This directory is a valuable resource for governments, businesses and people in Hawaii’s forest products industry,” said Michael Tam, CEO of Martin & MacArthur and member of the HFIA Board of Directors. “It connects buyers and sellers of a variety of wood products and services.”

The directory was created to raise awareness of wood-related products and services in Hawai’i, strengthen the industry by facilitating and promoting the use of wood (both domestic and imported), connect market players, and encourage development and supporting existing businesses. The directory also helps contractors and architects find suppliers and partners to market their product and provides industry information.

Companies that are not listed in the directory are invited to register by creating a free profile. Companies listed in the directory are notified when statewide lumber-related opportunities become available, such as lumber sales and requests for proposals by the state, HFIA and others.

“Through HWUT’s Multi-Association Membership Directory, consumers and members of all genders will have tremendous access to a broader range of resources within and around our industry,” said John Heideman, president of the Hawai’i Lumber Products Association (HLPA), a member organization of HWUT. “HLPA has been dedicated to promoting and educating the use of wood and wood since 2004 and we look forward to a long-term relationship with HWUT and its members, providing us all with the opportunity to reach different genres of our industry to better serve our community.”

HWUT is comprised of a diverse group of experts working to expand the wood products market in Hawai’i through cross-industry projects. Its members work in forestry, architecture, design, engineering, wood products, construction, finance, marketing, research, and Hawaiian cultural practices.

Other HWUT projects currently underway include a partnership with the Albizia Project to design and construct a prototype Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and design an education center on Kaua’i that will utilize locally grown wood resources. .

“We want to inspire and educate the design and construction industry with innovative and traditional applications for wood construction,” said Joseph Valenti, director of HWUT. “These demonstrations aim to inform the community of the opportunities and benefits of using our forest resources.”