Conservation

Native FOREST RESTORATION

One of our conservation team’s key jobs is restoring the forests on Hiʻipaka’s land to their native flora and fauna. We grow native trees and plants in the nursery and take them up the hills to replace invasive trees that are harmful to the soil and habitat health. Thid helps off set carbon.

Ironwoods, for example, are highly acidic, and can out-compete native plants, leading to monocultures. The forests in the Valley contain native plant species lama, wiliwili, koa, ‘ohi’a ‘ai, ‘ohi’a lehua, and alahe’e, many of which have been planted by conservation.

Our two core forest restoration projects are focused on the 60-acre Kalahe’e Community Restoration Project and the 15-acre Waimea Mauka Native Forest Project. Both of these areas have been fenced to protect the native species from wild boar in the area.

Hui Hānai Ᾱina (Help Restore our Native Lands) Project

In an effort to assist the native forests on the ridges and slopes of Waimea Valley, the Conservation team and volunteers have been clearing invasive plants and planting tens of thousands of native Hawaiian plants. Several areas with lama, wiliwili, koa, ‘ohi‘a lehua, and alahe‘e have been identified as key restoration sites. Restoring the upland forests is known to enhance the watershed and therefore improve the water quality and quantity for the Valley. If you are interested in volunteering with this project, click here.

’ALAE ’ULA

The ’alae ’ula, Hawaiian Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus sandwicensis) is an endemic native species on the Endangered Species List. These amazing and secretive water birds give us a glimpse into the past and the types of birds that we would have seen in coastal areas of old Hawaii.

There are only about 500 of these birds left in Hawaii. Waimea is home to approximately 15 individual birds. Our population grows every year and the habitat expands into new areas of the wetland. Staff and volunteers work to maintain their habitat and monitor their progress. 

This includes carefully maintaining and protecting the estuary in the front of the Valley, where several of these birds live and eat. Our conservation team work very hard to maintain the ponds and to combat invasive species like mongoose and cattle egret that prey on ʻalae ʻula babies and eggs.