Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership

Prior to the 1800s, the leeward flanks of Haleakalā on the island of Maui in the Hawaiian archipelago were covered in extensive forests. These hardwood forests were among the most robust and diverse in the archipelago, supporting abundant native Hawaiian flora and fauna, some of which is found nowhere else in the world. Through fog interception the trees, in some cases over 100 feet tall, contribu

ted to much greater levels of water resources in this rainfall-challenged region. In the past 200 years, systematic deforestation due to overgrazing by feral ungulates and the introduction of invasive plant species has reduced forest cover to less than 5-10% of former extents. The disappearance of Maui’s majestic leeward forests has triggered the loss of 5-8 feet of topsoil in some areas, leaf litter and forest duff. Despite this degradation, the region is a near-ideal candidate for restoration due to the absence of shade-adapted forest weeds and characteristics of the dominant canopy tree species. The Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership is made up of the following landowners:

Haleakalā National Park
Kaonoulu Ranch
Kaupo Ranch
Nu‘u Mauka Ranch
State of Hawai‘i—Department of Hawaiian Homelands
State of Hawai‘i—Department of Land & Natural Resources
Thompson Ranch
‘Ulupalakua Ranch