Naio Wood Naio Wood (Hawaii)

Why Hawai’i?

dōTERRA’s Naio Wood essential oil comes from naio trees, which can range from sprawling shrubs to majestic 30-foot giants. Naio has large, dark-green leaves that spiral gracefully around the stem. Its white, five-petalled flowers stand out against the dark green leaves like clusters of bell-shaped stars. When distilled, naio yields 1% essential oil, so approximately 3 lbs of wood is needed to produce 15 mL of Naio oil.

Native to Hawai’i, naio is harvested sustainably from trees that thrive alongside the cherished ‘Iliahi (Hawaiian Sandalwood). Naio is not as commonly found outside Hawai’i, making Naio essential oil a rare and special oil that is meant to embody the spirit and culture of the Hawaiian Islands.

Naio has been used for centuries in traditional Hawaiian medicine. Its essential oil continues that legacy and is commonly used to soothe the skin. Naio essential oil has a distinct earthy, sweet aroma, which blends well with other essential oils, especially in products like the Frankincense Stick + Naio Wood™, combining the calming properties of Frankincense with the soothing qualities of Naio.

Furthering Environmental Stewardship

Naio is harvested as part of dōTERRA’s Cō-Impact Sourcing® initiative, which helps support sustainable harvesting and reforestation efforts on the Kealakekua Mountain Reserve (KMR). Like the ‘Iliahi Sandalwood trees that grow alongside them at KMR, naio is sustainably harvested, with care for the balanced native ecosystem of Hawaiian plants and animals. The KMR Nursery has been growing naio seedlings, which have been replanted on the Kealakekua Mountain Reserve. Naio trees are fire-adapted and will re-sprout after a fire, contributing to the resilience of the species, especially in the wildfire-prone areas of Hawai’i.

The naio trees that are distilled are selected from those that have been negatively affected by insect damage or are otherwise in decline and need to be removed from the ecosystem for its continued health. Once selected and harvested, they are then debarked, chipped, and then sent for immediate steam distillation, which can take up to seven days.

Kealakekua Mountain Reserve works with the government, local universities, and NGOs to practice modern sustainability and eco-habitat restoration methods. They also provide education to local school children about the importance of preserving Hawai’i’s native plants and animals. This reserve is known for being home to the largest reforestation effort in Hawai’i’s history, ensuring that the local environment is protected for the future generations these school children represent.

How Carbon Credits Help Safeguard the Future

Those who work to protect Kealakekua Mountain Reserve believe that responsible forest stewardship is one of the most powerful ways to combat climate change. They’ve chosen to harvest lightly and prioritize improved forest management practices that keep more carbon stored in the trunks and soil of Hawai’i’s forests. Over the past few years, they’ve planted more than 630,000 trees and are now working to turn that reforestation into certified carbon credits. This process involves rigorous baseline comparisons, third-party validation, and significant investment—but it validates that these efforts are scientifically sound and truly impactful.

dōTERRA is leading the way by organizing this as an aggregated carbon crediting project, allowing smaller landowners in the region, who may otherwise not have access, to join in and share the costs and benefits. This collaborative model makes it possible for smaller landholders to participate in the carbon market, encouraging widespread climate action across Hawai‘i. With limited comparable land in the islands and high surveying costs, this shared approach is both practical and powerful. It also supports the preservation of Hawai‘i’s unique biodiversity, which is critical to the health of Hawaiian ecosystems and valued cultural heritage, while strengthening community by sharing resources and access.

Investing in Biodiversity

Beyond carbon, KMR is also investing in biodiversity. They’ve conducted the first bird surveys in the area since the 1980s, helping scientists and government agencies understand how native species are faring. These studies have already shown that these reforestation efforts could help bring endangered birds back to the islands. This positions dōTERRA and KMR as trusted partners in conservation and restoration.

Looking ahead, KMR is using advanced audio technology to monitor bird populations and track how reforestation is restoring native habitats. This innovative approach is deepening the team’s understanding of the connection between trees and wildlife, guiding future restoration efforts.

Comprehensive Impact

dōTERRA’s efforts at KMR extend beyond reforestation, empowering the local community as environmental stewards and cultural preservationists through Hiki Ola, the non-profit arm of KMR. Hiki Ola is fostering education, cultural heritage, and collaboration toward sustainable land management.

• Educational Programs: Collaborating with Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino, a Hawaiian language immersion school, to support youth education.

• Cultural Preservation: Partnering with Hālau Ka‘eaikahelelani to teach hula traditions and designate parts of the reserve for cultivating plants essential to hula.

• Reforestation Activities: Hosting Wellness Advocates (Reforestation Advocates) to participate in tree planting, nursery tours, and distillery visits.

Through these initiatives, dōTERRA supports both the regeneration of native forests and the well-being of Kānaka Maoli people and culture.

Hiki Ola and the KMR team provide individualized, targeted, and very personalized visits of Kealakekua Mountain Reserve, and have welcomed nearly 4,000 visits since 2021, allowing visitors to become part of this beautiful reforestation effort and to have an experience with ʻāina (the land).

Native Hawaiian Mental Health

At Hiki Ola, the healing power of land, culture, and community comes to life through programs that restore traditional Hawaiian practices and uplift well-being. One such initiative is the revival of ‘ie‘ie weaving—a sacred art form rooted in native Hawaiian heritage. With support from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and private foundations, Hiki Ola has hosted immersive two-day workshops where participants connect deeply with the land and learn to weave with ‘ie‘ie, a rare native plant thriving at KMR.

Now, through a partnership with Root and Rise, Hiki Ola is extending this experience to Native Hawaiians living with severe mental illness. Grounded in research that shows cultural reconnection improves mental health1, this pilot program offers a path to healing through tradition. By nurturing both cultural identity and personal well-being, Hiki Ola is helping restore what matters most—our connection to each other and to the land.

dōTERRA’s Cō-Impact Sourcing of this unique and rare oil at the Kealakekua Mountain Reserve makes Naio not just an essential oil with useful benefits, but also a part of the broader story of Hawaiian flora, sustainability, and cultural significance. This project is a living example of how nature, science, and community can come together to create lasting, positive change—for the planet, for Hawai‘i, and for generations to come.

Naio Wood Image Credit: Photo by Vaina Barton

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