WHY
community
engagement
There are many benefits to restoring a watershed and its ecosystems and the services that these places provide are priceless to our culture and way of life.
Learn about each of the ways that the land sustains us.
ENGAGE & EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY
O ke Aloha Ko Kakou Piko a me Ko Kakou Alakai i Pono (o) Hawaii a i Pono ke Ao Nei
Aloha is in Our Hearts and Our Way to a Better Hawaii
and to a Better World
kuleana | responsibility
ohana| family
In 2016, a fire burned over 6,000 acres and lasted over a month. The kikuyu grass kept smoldering and reigniting due to the high winds and deep meandering rooots of Kikuyu.
After another fire that burned over 600 acres, from the ocean to above 4,000 ft into our watershed protection area, concerned residents wanted to know what they could do. Community members, DHHL reps, adjacent landowners, ranchers, fire responders, invasive species managers, hunters, fire scientists, County and Maui DOFAW officials, and ‘Aha Moku representatives all came together to put love for land above all else.
We all have a kuleana to protect this growing community and the natural and cultural resources we share. Since that fire, the community received Firewise certification and funding for firebreak work and we are continuing our public outreach rewarding wildfire preparedness and prevention.
WORK WITH ALOHA
TEACH MĀLAMA ‘ĀINA
BENEFIT #1
We are fostering the next generation of conservation professionals
Environmental education and fostering long‐term support for native resource protection are key to the LHWRP mission. In Maui Nui we are lucky to have children who already care about our environment and want to learn more about what they can do to preserve our native ‘āina (land). With a hands-on approach, we bring the watershed to the classroom using a virtual watershed model, seed ball making (shown here), and promoting school native gardens, as well as the traditional presentations and outreach approaches.
INSTILL KULEANA
BENEFIT #2
Create hands-on learning through volunteering
Getting your hands dirty can be the best way to learn why this work is so important. Our goal is to expand native habitat and outplant native seedlings as much as possible. In particular, in erosion prone areas seedlings can help build a root base to prevent erosion and runoff to our oceans.
In the past we have hosted school groups, government agencies, families, funders, scientists and other private groups.
We have also regularly hosted internships.
For more information how you can get your hands dirty, please visit our "CONNECT" page.
BE A VOICE FOR THE MOUNTAIN
BENEFIT #3
Bring the issues of the wildlands to the forefront of conversation
We are lucky to work in the remote regions of the watershed that most people will never get to see. Many of the areas we work are only accessible by helicopter and so unavailable to regular volunteer trips. We recognize that this creates a gap between the forests we want to protect and the people needed to protect them. How can you know that something is special if you've never seen it?
In the past we have focused heavily on sharing pictures, brochures and information at booths during public events, like Earth Day or the Ag Festival. We've also hosted lecture series and other presentations, but we realize that this isn't for everyone. Our goal is to be more inclusive with our outreach and do a better job at telling the stories from the mountain.
To that end, look back to this website for the latest information, trends and reports from our work. Our blog, Notes From the Field, will give you detailed information and insider facts about our watershed work and how the mountain is doing.
Also, follow us on social media for news, photos, videos and posts that will entertain, education and make you want more!
BE ON THE CUTTING EDGE
BENEFIT #4
We work with visiting researchers to learn the latest techniques to protect our lands.
Both LHWRP staff and partners have formed lasting relationships with local and international researchers who have come to study our unique watershed lands and species. We have helped UH-CTAHR to develop herbicide ballistic technology (HBT) to use paintball guns to directly target invasive plants from a helicopter. We have worked alongside USDA Forest Service and University of Idaho PhDs to establish the best planting protocols for koa seedlings. We have also worked with the US Geological Survey/Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i to help with a study on the biological control agent for the super invasive Fireweed.
We can offer our knowledge of this place which has accrued from generations of workers, families and scientists on this mountain. And we can learn from others who have specialized knowledge and tools to make our management strategy even more successful.
View our "WHO" page to learn more about our partners, supporting organizations and staff.