Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission - KIRC

Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission - KIRC Official page of KIRC, which serves to restore, preserve, protect and provide access to the Hawaiian island of Kaho'olawe and its surrounding waters.

The Legislature created the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) to manage the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve while it is held in trust for a future Native Hawaiian sovereign entity. The KIRC uses the federal funds designated for State responsibilities in the restoration effort. The KIRC is administratively attached to the State Department of Land and Natural Resources.

KIRC is seeking a motivated, self-starter that wants to join our team and help restore Kahoʻolawe through their business...
06/08/2026

KIRC is seeking a motivated, self-starter that wants to join our team and help restore Kahoʻolawe through their business skills. We are seeking an Administration Specialist III candidate that can help us track our expenses, purchases and budget so that we can best use our limited funds to help heal Kahoʻolawe.

Minimum Qualifications
* Knowledge of accounting principles, fiscal management, and procurement procedures.
* Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
* An undergraduate degree in business administration, accounting or related field and at least four years of experience in general administrative work, with progressive experience in procurement or fiscal management is required.
* Strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills.
* Valid Hawaiʻi Driver’s License.
* Awareness of, or willingness to learn, Hawaiian history, language, and cultural traditions.

Work Conditions
* Position is located at the KIRC office on Maui.
* May require multi-day trips to Kahoʻolawe.
* Must be able to travel by helicopter, airplane, boat, and four- wheel drive vehicles and work in outdoor field conditions.

How to Apply
Qualified candidates may submit a resume and cover letter stating interest by email to [email protected] or by mail to:
Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission
Attn: Matthew Hatakeyama “CONFIDENTIAL”
811 Kolu Street, Suite 201
Wailuku, Hawaiʻi 96793

Ancient life awakened 🌧️🦐Following the recent Kona low storms, KIRC staff observed Triops longicaudatus—often called “di...
05/06/2026

Ancient life awakened 🌧️🦐

Following the recent Kona low storms, KIRC staff observed Triops longicaudatus—often called “dinosaur shrimp” at Lua ‘O Keālialalo on Kaho’olawe.

These ancient freshwater crustaceans lie dormant as eggs in dry lakebeds, sometimes for years, waiting for the right conditions. With three eyes and a long, horseshoe crab-like body, triops belong to the order Notostraca and are considered living fossils, with a form that has remained largely unchanged for over 70 million years!

A powerful reminder of how Kahoʻolawe’s landscapes still hold resilience, mystery, and life—just waiting for the rains. 

05/05/2026

Lua ‘O Keālialalo on Kahoʻolawe recharged after the Kona low storms 🌧️

E hoʻi i ka pili
E kuʻu ipo.
E neneʻe mai, e nanea mai
E ke aloha,

He lei wehi ʻoe
No kuʻu nui kino.
Lei ʻala hoʻōnaona lua i ka poli
E ke aloha,
E hanu lipo kāua

Ka nehe a ke kai
O Kahoolawe
Kai koʻo hākuʻi piʻi ka pali
E ke aloha,
Pulu pē iho kāua

Puana ʻia mai
E kuʻu ipo.
E neneʻe mai. e nanea mai
E ke aloha,

Come here to me,
My darling love.
Cuddle close,
Relax my beloved,

You are like a lei,
For me to wear.
Incomparably fragrant
At my heart, my dearest,
Let us deeply kiss

The sea at Kahoolawe,
Rumbles on the rocks
And splashes up the cliffs.
Oh my love,
We are drenched

Let it be told,
My love, my darling.
Cuddle close,
Relax my beloved,

Last month, the endangered Hawaiian Coot (ʻalae keʻokeʻo) was observed at Lua o Keālialalo on Kaho’olawe— an incredibly ...
05/01/2026

Last month, the endangered Hawaiian Coot (ʻalae keʻokeʻo) was observed at Lua o Keālialalo on Kaho’olawe— an incredibly rare and encouraging sign.

The ʻalae keʻokeʻo is federally and state listed as endangered and found nowhere else in the world but Hawaiʻi. It depends almost entirely on freshwater and brackish wetlands for feeding, nesting, and survival. Yet across the islands, wetlands have been drastically reduced, and today only a small population remains, largely concentrated on a few islands—and notably they are not typically found on Kahoʻolawe.

That’s what makes this moment so powerful.

The presence of ʻalae keʻokeʻo in this restored, rain-fed wetland shows how critical—even temporary—wetland habitats are. Ephemeral wetlands like Kealialalo can provide essential refuge, especially during nonbreeding periods, supporting endangered waterbirds when conditions are right.

It’s a clear reminder: when we restore water, we restore life.

Through the current County of Maui EP&S Sustainability Grant project, we are continuing efforts to restore ~20 acres of this wetland—removing invasive species, reestablishing native plants, and rebuilding the hydrological systems that make sightings like this possible.

The recent Kona low breathed life back into a long-dry wetland reminding us what’s possible when water returns to ʻāina.

Post Kona Storm March 23, 2026 🌧️At Lua ‘O Keālialalo on Kahoʻolawe, the Kona low recently recharged a long-dry wetland—...
05/01/2026

Post Kona Storm March 23, 2026 🌧️

At Lua ‘O Keālialalo on Kahoʻolawe, the Kona low recently recharged a long-dry wetland—offering a powerful glimpse of the island’s restoration potential.

Building on this momentum, KIRC is actively implementing a County of Maui EP&S Sustainability Grant project to restore approximately 20 acres of upland wetland habitat at Lua o Kealialalo. Current efforts focus on removing invasive species and reestablishing native vegetation to improve groundwater retention, reduce erosion, and enhance habitat for native and migratory birds such as kōlea, ʻakekeke, and kioea.

Monthly access trips bring together staff, partners, and rotating groups of volunteers and youth who contribute directly to restoration in the field. Through this project, the wetland is being transformed into a more resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem—supporting biodiversity, strengthening climate adaptation, and deepening connections between people and ʻāina.

Mahalo to everyone who stopped by our booth yesterday at the Earth Day Expo! Surrounded by other Maui-based conservation...
04/24/2026

Mahalo to everyone who stopped by our booth yesterday at the Earth Day Expo!

Surrounded by other Maui-based conservation and education groups, we’re reminded that aloha ʻāina is a shared commitment. Each one playing a role in protecting and restoring our island home. We are grateful to share space, stories, and purpose with so many dedicated hands and hearts.

Mahalo to and for organizing and hosting this expo for our Maui ‘ohana to learn more about mālama ʻāina.

Last Friday, the KIRC had the pleasure of spending the day at Maui High School’s Service & Sustainability Academy Career...
04/22/2026

Last Friday, the KIRC had the pleasure of spending the day at Maui High School’s Service & Sustainability Academy Career Fair. 

The KIRC’s Public Information Specialist Ashley Razo and GIN/LAN Specialist Carmela Noneza shared insights on career pathways within KIRC—highlighting opportunities to serve, mālama ʻāina, and build meaningful work rooted in stewardship and community.

Mahalo to the students and staff for the warm welcome and for your curiosity, engagement, and commitment to a more sustainable future!

Last week the KIRC hosted the Kihei Charter School’s Ecology class at our base yard in Kihei. The students cleared brush...
03/04/2026

Last week the KIRC hosted the Kihei Charter School’s Ecology class at our base yard in Kihei. The students cleared brush, collected native seeds and did coastal out planting. Ross Kamimoto, KIRC’s Volunteer Coordinator educated the students on the KIRC, native plants, nursery propagation as well as coastal erosion mitigation strategies.

If you would like to learn more about our outreach opportunities, please email [email protected].

Mahalo everyone that came by last night to learn about Kaho’olawe and the KIRC’s current restoration projects. Mahalo nu...
02/28/2026

Mahalo everyone that came by last night to learn about Kaho’olawe and the KIRC’s current restoration projects. Mahalo nui to Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge for hosting us!

Join us this Thursday to learn about KIRC’s ongoing efforts in revegeting Kaho’olawe. This is a FREE event, starts at 5p...
02/24/2026

Join us this Thursday to learn about KIRC’s ongoing efforts in revegeting Kaho’olawe. This is a FREE event, starts at 5pm at the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge.

Address

Kihei, HI
96753

Opening Hours

Monday 7:45am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7:45am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7:45am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7:45am - 4:30pm
Friday 7:45am - 4:30pm

Telephone

808-243-5020

Website

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