By Cindy Jaya Dupuis | President/ Project Director
Strengthening Native Forest Restoration and Community Stewardship
During this quarter, Hawaii Environmental Restoration (HER) continued advancing its mission to protect Hawaii’s native ecosystems and inspire community stewardship at Keauohana State Forest Reserve in Puna, Hawaii Island. Through hands-on restoration, educational partnerships, and collaboration with conservation professionals, HER is nurturing both a rare lowland rainforest and a growing community of people committed to its future.
Community Partnerships in Action
In July, seven staff members from the Hawaii County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience joined HER for a hands-on restoration workday in Keauohana’s West Volunteer Area. Their participation connected county sustainability and climate-resilience goals with direct action to care for native forest seedlings and strengthen this important ecosystem.
HER also participated in the 2026 Hawaii Ecosystem Meeting at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Representatives shared updates on restoration progress, native plant outplanting, haiwale protection, forest fencing, and community engagement while connecting with researchers, educators, students, and conservation partners. These exchanges help strengthen the collaborative knowledge and relationships needed to protect Hawaii’s threatened native ecosystems.
Inspiring the Next Generation
A major highlight was HER’s new partnership with Keonepoko Elementary School in Pahoa. Working with four teachers and approximately 100 fourth-grade students, HER introduced the importance of Hawaii’s native plants and ecosystems through an educational presentation and hands-on planting activity.
Students potted hala seedlings in their school greenhouse, where they will nurture the young plants before helping transplant them into Keauohana. This project gives children a meaningful role in local forest restoration, encouraging responsibility, environmental awareness, and a lasting connection with the aina (land). HER hopes this initiative will become the foundation for future school-based restoration partnerships.
Restoring the Forest, Together
At the September Fall Equinox planting, 14 dedicated volunteers worked beyond the usual planting hours to introduce 150 native plants into Keauohana. Their perseverance and shared commitment reflect the community spirit that sustains long-term restoration.
These activities build on HER’s ongoing work to regenerate the forest through native planting, invasive-species management, and continued care of established restoration areas. Every planting contributes to the recovery of native vegetation, while each educational experience helps extend stewardship beyond the forest itself.
Looking Ahead
HER remains committed to restoring Keauohana’s native lowland rainforest while expanding environmental education and community participation throughout East Hawaii. By bringing together students, volunteers, public agencies, and conservation professionals, we are cultivating a healthier forest and a stronger culture of malama aina—caring for the land.
Mahalo nui loa to our GlobalGiving donors, volunteers, educators, and partners. Your generosity makes this work possible, helping native forests recover and inspiring the next generation to protect Hawaii’s unique natural and cultural heritage.
Me ke aloha,
Hawaii Environmental Restoration (HER)
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