David Cadaoas watches as Keola Steven, Marissa Nakano and Kalino Poai plant a kopiko plant on the slopes of the Kaupulehe Dryland Forest. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Forest Institute (HFI) has been awarded an $8,000 grant from the Arthur Lawrence Mullaly Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation for the Kaupulehu Dryland Forest Restoration and Education project.

This volunteer outreach project provides dryland forest restoration and forest stewardship opportunities at Kaupulehu Dryland Forest Preserve in North Kona.

HFI, in conjunction with community partners, is working to sustain fragile endangered dry forest ecosystems and share their unique historical, cultural, restoration, and scientific aspects to benefit Hawaii residents and visitors. Volunteers will receive a hands-on, land-based, learning experience to effect positive change in the areas of responsibility, stewardship, and interdependency of all living things.

In 2010, 150 volunteers will participate in stewardship learning events at Kaupulehu Dryland Preserve. Site stewardship activities will include planting seedlings, collecting and distributing seeds, building trails, and pulling weeds. The project also includes invasive weed control and creating Web pages and news articles documenting stories and photographs of the stewardship events.

A portion of this grant will help sponsor the Mauka-Makai Kaupulehu “Connection Not Forgotten” talk story evening, which is planned for Feb. 25 at the Kalaemao Cultural Center in North Kona.

Speakers Kuulei Keakealani, Yvonne Yarber Carter, Keoki Apokolani Carter, and Wilds Pihanui Brawner will address ahupuaa perspectives connecting land and people, mauka-makai, through a cultural ecology partnership. Restoration, science, cultural history, and contemporary relationships to the land are vital components to the perpetuation of a dynamic Kaupulehu dryland forest and coastal ecosystem.

A grant from the county Department of Research and Development is also assisting with sponsorship. Call HFI at 808-933-9411 to RVSP for this free informal talk story by Feb. 19.

Other project supporters include: Kamehameha Schools, Bishop Museum, Kukio Resort, and Hawaii Forest Industry Association.

HFI’s mission is to improve and promote the health and productivity of Hawaii’s forests through educational programs, information dissemination, scientific research, and other scientific and educational endeavors related to forestry.

Established in 2003, HFI is a nonprofit organization founded by and for people committed to managing and maintaining healthy and productive forests.

— Find out more:
www.hawaiiforestinstitute.org