07/01/2025
***SURVEY DEADLINE IS TOMORROW!! If you haven't had a chance to fill out the survey yet, please do so. We can show DLNR we have a large and passionate MTB community that has been underserved!!! Thank you***
DLNR planning MTB trails in Halemano! PLEASE FILL OUT THE SURVEY to provide them guidance.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdn7pmf0e46wgaMWbJt5JqL-zFhO2fPfyUOsnvB4un8rK_YFw/viewform
Let's help DLNR create an awesome mountain bike trail system in Halemano!
The Department of Natural Resources' (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is asking for your guidance in the formation of the Halemano Wilderness Area recreation plan, of which mountain biking is a big component (The map of the area is pasted at the very bottom of this message).
This is NOT an after-the-fact bureaucratic formality but an actual opportunity for us to shape state sanctioned MTB trails. They truly want to hear from you.
Please answer the survey by Wednesday, July 9th.
Please forward the link to all your mountain bike buddies!! Let's show them just how active and passionate the local mountain bikers are by flooding them with survey responses.
Note that this survey is put together by Progressive Trail Design (https://progressivetraildesign.com), which primarily focuses their business on mountain bike trail build and design. So they speak our language! Don't hold back! You guys are the experts and please guide them with your wisdom. The last question is an open ended one which you can help DLNR understand how awesome a mountain biking trail system can be and what your hopes and dreams are.
Halemano Wilderness Area background
In 2018, DLNR acquired 2,881 acres of forest and fallow lands in Central O'ahu, previously owned by Dole Food Company, Inc., in cooperation with The Trust of Public Land, and Halemano Wilderness Area was born. DLNR's DOFAW manages the area as the Halemano Section of the ʻEwa Forest Reserve and part of the State of Hawaiʻi’s Forest Reserve System, which aims to strengthen the community’s connection to the land through stewardship, recreation, and cultural practice.
Recently, DOFAW partnered with a local land management firm Forest Solutions, Inc., to lead the final phase for the Forest Reserve Management Plan for Halemano. As part of this process, Forest Solutions hired Progressive Trails Design to support the development of a sustainable recreational plan, while ASM (https://asmaffiliates.com) is currently conducting a Cultural Impact Assessment. The next step will be to integrate the findings from all planning and assessment efforts into a comprehensive management plan, followed by the completion of an Environmental Assessment.
Helemano vs Halemano
While we are used to calling the area Helemano, Halemano was the original Hawaiian name. It was switched around the time Dole started to encourage folks to hele on over to the plantation. Most recently, the official name has been switched back to its original form, Halemano.
