By Jaya C Dupuis | CEO/President/Project Director
Since April 2025, HER has continued dedicated restoration work in the Keauohana State Forest Reserve, Hawaii’s last remaining lowland native rainforest. We completed our 9th systematic pass of the 20-acre site in late July, alongside targeted sweeps in priority planting zones to protect young outplants—ensuring the long-term health and resilience of this unique ecosystem. This period saw 284 new native seedlings planted, bringing our lifetime total to 3,247 since 2014, with 155 volunteer hours contributed through forest workdays, educational presentations, and a special conference event.
In August, HER participated in the Kosasa Foundation Community-Based Environmental Stewardship (CBES) Grantee Gathering, joining over 20 organizations for a day of shared learning on aina-based best practices, community trust-building, and strengthening funding models. The exchange of ideas and encouragement from fellow environmental stewards reinforced our commitment to collaborative rather than competitive approaches to conservation.
Keauohana continues to serve as a living classroom for residents, students, and visitors, combining ecological recovery with public education. Our outreach through email and social media now reaches over 2,000 subscribers, helping broaden awareness of Hawaii’s lowland rainforest conservation and encouraging more people to join in our efforts.
As we advance into the 10th restoration pass, we remain focused on habitat maintenance and preparing new planting zones for the wet season. Our ability to sustain and expand this work depends on the generosity of supporters. Through GlobalGiving, your contribution directly funds native plantings, essential tools, and community programs. Please consider making a gift today to help protect and regenerate Keauohana for future generations. Mahalo for standing with us in safeguarding this rare and irreplaceable ecosystem.
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