Kawai'ula
I am honored to be a member of Kawai'ula. Based on the name of the ahupuaʻa of which this group was founded, Kawaiʻula is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the protection, preservation, and stewardship of all culturally significant sites within Waiakahiʻula Beach Park and its surrounding areas.
Kawaiʻula began its journey as a small group of individuals who made the commitment to bring Hawaiʻi protocols and ceremonies back to the ahupuaʻa of Waiakahiʻula. This same group also helped to host various events at Waiakahiʻula Beach Park, which included educational workshops and Lā Kanu Lā’au, native planting sessions.
Currently, Kawaiʻula continues to host native planting sessions, kīpaepae (Hawaiʻi cultural ceremonies) at the park, while also advocating for the legal protection of all cultural sites within Waiakahiʻula.
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Join us in our mission to protect Waiakahiʻula and its cultural heritage. We offer various volunteer opportunities that allow you to directly engage with preservation efforts, educational programs, and community outreach activities. We have our Lā Kanu Lā’au events on the last Sunday of each month unless mentioned otherwise. Click "Learn More" to learn more and to register for events and updates.
Hawai'i Environmental Restoration (HER)
I am also a proud crew member and plant grower for Hawai'i Environmental Restoration (HER). Jaya Dupuis started HER Restoration efforts in Keau'ohana in 2014. HER's primary project is the restoration and preservation of 20 acres of the Keau'ohana State Forest Reserve. Keau'ohana is the largest and most intact lowland rainforest remaining below 1,000 feet in Hawaiʻi. Restoration efforts include removing invasive species and planting native species.
ROD was first detected in 2015, subsequent to hurricane Iselle which caused so much damage to the forest structure in 2014. The primary native canopy of our beloved 'Ohi'a in Keau'ohana has since dramatically declined. More sunlight has posed a negative for the native understory and a positive for invasive species, increasing our workload and making it that much more important.
Keau'ohana is filled with a diverse mix of native species including critically endangered and absolutely adorable Ha'iwale (Cyrtandra nanawaliensis). It makes me smile every time I see one :) Because of Jayas efforts Keau'ohana still has a diverse mix of native species, and we are always planting more! Ann Kobsa has been donating native plants to Keau'ohana since the onset of HER project, and now I am grateful to join Ann and get my keiki in the forest too. I don't even want to think about what Keau'ohana would be like without Jaya and what she does. Mahalo nui loa Jaya!
HER hosts quarterly volunteer planting days, weekly volunteer days, school collaborations, educational booths for events. Click "Learn More" to learn more about Hawai'i Environmental Restoration and to register for events and updates.