Sugi
Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica), also known as Japanese cedar, is planted in some higher-elevation forestry plots on Hawaiʻi Island. It is prized in Japan for construction, with a straight trunk and fragrant, lightweight wood.
Sugi’s soft, fragrant lumber is typically used for interior paneling, shingles, and light framing. Experimental stands in upcountry Hawaiʻi have demonstrated moderate growth rates. Commercial-scale harvest is limited, as relatively few acres are devoted to Sugi, and it has to compete with more established local species. Nonetheless, local mills occasionally process Sugi for specialty projects or small architectural elements. If expanded, it might find a niche for those seeking an aromatic, cedar-like wood for interior décor.