MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii Forest & Trail founders Rob and Cindy Pacheco answered the call to plant more trees throughout Hawaii with a $5,500 donation to Hawaii Forest Institute’s “Mahalo Aina: 40 Days for Hawaii’s Forests” Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign.

This 40-day fundraising campaign is part of a larger “Mahalo Aina: Give Back to the Forest initiative.”

“When we heard about the opportunity to help plant 4,000 seedlings in our forests and provide stewardship opportunities, we knew this was a perfect fit for our community giving program, E Hoomaluo (Conserve Our Natural Resources),” said Hawaii Forest & Trail founder Rob Pacheco. “Cindy and I knew immediately that we wanted to get involved and do what we could to help sustain Hawaii’s forest resources. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact and we encourage others to rally support for Hawaii Forest Institute’s Mahalo Aina: Give Back to the Forest program.”

The Pacheco’s year-end donation along with more than 50 other supporters will help Hawaii Forest Institute (HFI) reach its annual goal of planting 4,000 seedlings while providing forest stewardship learning experiences for 2,000 volunteers at forest restoration and demonstration sites throughout Hawaii.

The Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign goal raised over $10,000 during a 40-day timespan to help protect and perpetuate Hawaii’s forest resources.

“Our Hawaii Forest Institute mission is to promote the health and productivity of Hawaii’s forests,” said HFI Executive Director Heather Simmons. “We are so grateful that Hawaii Forest & Trail and other donors heard the call and gave so generously.”

Hawaii Forest Industry Association partnered with the Hawaii Forest Institute to launch the Mahalo Aina: Give Back to the Forest initiative. The ongoing program seeks to expand public and private partnerships to gain support for the protection and perpetuation of Hawaii’s forest resources.

HFI’s inaugural Indiegogo crowdfunding Mahalo Aina: 40 Days for Hawaii’s Forests campaign raised $10,270 and surpassed its $10,000 goal. Fifty-five donors gave online with 49 from Hawaii, one from Canada and five from Michigan.

Funds raised help support seed collection and storage, propagation, planting and long-term care of seedlings; site maintenance; and educational programs.

In addition to planting trees, the program helps to support total ecosystem management, provide forest stewardship opportunities and environmental and cultural education.

The Mahalo Aina: Give Back to the Forest program will initially benefit these projects on Hawaii Island, Oahu, Maui, and Kauai: Hawaii Island Native Seed Bank Cooperative, Honolulu Zoo Children’s Discovery Forest, Aina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project, Kaloko Makai Dryland Forest Preserve, Kapupala Canoe Forest, Kaupulehu Dryland Forest, Keauhou Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest, Kua O Ka Le Public Charter School, Lai Opua Dryland Habitat Preserve, Palamanui Dry Forest Preserve, Honokohau National Historical Park & Puuhonua O Honaunau Restoration, Panaewa Zoo Discovery Forest, Kokee Forest Reserve and Maui Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest.

— Find out more:
www.hawaiiforestinstitute.org
www.hawaiiforest.org