By Cindy Jaya Dupuis | President/ Project Director
During Fiscal Year 2025–2026, Hawaii Environmental Restoration (HER) continued to advance lowland rainforest restoration, community stewardship, and environmental education at Keauohana. As proposed, HER completed the 10th systematic restoration pass across Keauohana’s 20-acre core restoration site, along with several intermediate maintenance sweeps focused on caring for young seedlings in densely planted areas. These efforts supported the long-term recovery of native lowland rainforest habitat through invasive species management, site maintenance, seedling care, and continued native plant establishment.
Over the fiscal year, HER hosted 19 volunteer, educational, and outreach events that engaged more than 136 community members directly in restoration and stewardship activities. These events included seasonal Solstice and Equinox plantings, habitat restoration workdays, educational workshops, guided site visits, cultural celebrations, public presentations, career fairs, and professional training programs. Collectively, volunteers contributed 556 hours of service and helped plant 916 native trees and plants, directly supporting the ecological resilience of Keauohana.
HER’s educational mission also extended beyond the forest itself. Through community outreach, workshops, and one-on-one engagement, HER helped residents, students, landowners, professionals, and visitors better understand how everyday vegetation choices affect Hawaii’s ecosystems. Programming emphasized invasive species awareness, appropriate native and non-invasive plant selection, and practical stewardship strategies that participants can apply in their own landscapes.
HER further expanded its reach through participation in events such as the University of Hawaii at Hilo Connection Fair, the Ohia Love Festival, the East Hawaii Career Expo, UH Hilo Earth Day activities, Rotary Club presentations, a CTAHR Rapid Ohia Death workshop, and the Forest Stewardship Leaders Program field visit. Through these broader outreach efforts, HER connected with up to 8,000 participants across East Hawaii.
Together, these restoration, volunteer, and education efforts strengthened environmental literacy, cultural connection, community resilience, and a growing network of land stewards committed to protecting and restoring Hawaii’s native ecosystems.
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By Cindy Jaya Dupuis | President/ Project Director
By Cindy Jaya Dupuis | President/ Project Director
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