Hawaii Environmental Restoration

Hawaii Environmental Restoration The goal of this project is to restore Keau'ohana, the largest and most intact native lowland rainforest remaining in the State of Hawai'i (

Keau’ohana is a living classroom for many local and international volunteer students, community groups/individuals to learn about native forest restoration, and about general Hawai’i plant issues and solutions

Aloha HER ʻohana,We are a few days late with our August newsletter, but grateful to share a few recent and upcoming high...
08/11/2026

Aloha HER ʻohana,

We are a few days late with our August newsletter, but grateful to share a few recent and upcoming highlights from Hawaiʻi Environmental Restoration.

On July 20, HER welcomed seven staff members from the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience, or OSCER, for a special restoration workday at Keauʻohana. Together, the group supported ongoing restoration in the West Volunteer Area and helped care for young native seedlings. The visit offered OSCER staff an opportunity to step away from office-based responsibilities and connect directly with the land, the forest, and one another through meaningful hands-on stewardship.

OSCER’s participation reflects its mission to strengthen Hawaiʻi Island’s self-reliance by connecting County departments and the community around sustainability, climate action, equity, and resilience. By joining HER in the forest, the team put these values into practice while supporting the long-term health of one of Hawaiʻi Island’s remaining native lowland rainforests. We are grateful to Molly Dolphin, OSCER’s Education Specialist and Outreach Coordinator, and the entire OSCER team for bringing their time, energy, and care to Keauʻohana.

HER also participated in the 2026 Hawaiʻi Ecosystem Meeting at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. HER President Jaya Dupuis and outreach support Amy Miller attended, with Amy presenting updates on Keauʻohana’s restoration progress, including the 20-acre core site, fencing developments, haʻiwale protection, native outplanting, and community engagement. The gathering brought together students, researchers, educators, restoration practitioners, and conservation partners working to protect Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems.

Looking ahead, HER is excited to begin a new semester project with Grade 4 students at Keonepoko. After an introductory presentation, students will help pot approximately 100 hala trees for later transplanting in the fall. The keiki will care for these young plants in the school nursery, learning about native plants, responsibility, and the patience required to grow a future forest.

Mahalo nui to everyone who continues to support Keauʻohana and HER’s broader restoration work. Your time, encouragement, donations, partnerships, and belief in this work help make native forest recovery possible.

Aloha Hawaii Environmental Restoration Supporters!Celebrating 12th year of Restoration and Community Stewardship at Keau...
07/02/2026

Aloha Hawaii Environmental Restoration Supporters!

Celebrating 12th year of Restoration and Community Stewardship at Keauʻohana!

As we begin a new fiscal year, Hawaiʻi Environmental Restoration (HER) is grateful to reflect on the many hands and partnerships that helped make FY 2025–2026 a year of meaningful progress for Keauʻohana Lowland Rainforest restoration.

This year, HER completed the 10th systematic restoration pass across Keauʻohana’s 20-acre core restoration site, along with additional maintenance sweeps to support the growth and survival of young native seedlings. These continued efforts are helping restore a healthy and resilient lowland rainforest ecosystem for future generations.

Through 19 volunteer, educational, and outreach events, HER welcomed students, community members, professionals, and visitors into the restoration process. Together, participants contributed 556 volunteer hours and helped plant 916 native trees and plants, strengthening both the forest and the community connections that sustain it.

Beyond hands-on restoration, HER continued expanding environmental education throughout East Hawaiʻi through school programs, university events, community gatherings, workshops, and presentations. These efforts help inspire informed stewardship by sharing knowledge about native ecosystems, invasive species, Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, and the important role each of us plays in caring for Hawaiʻi’s landscapes.

In FY 2025–2026, HER directly engaged 1,033 participants while reaching thousands more through community outreach. While these numbers represent important milestones, the greatest achievement is the growing network of people who are developing deeper relationships with place and becoming active stewards of Hawaii’s native ecosystems.

Mahalo nui loa to our volunteers, funders, partners, educators, students, and community members whose time, knowledge, and aloha continue to make this work possible. Every planting, every restoration day, and every shared learning experience brings us closer to a thriving future for Keauʻohana.

Together, we continue to restore forests, inspire stewardship, and strengthen the connection between people and place

Please come join the Keau'ohana 'ohana in honor of this Summer Solstice!Sunday, June 21st from 10:00am to 2:00pm The ...
06/02/2026

Please come join the Keau'ohana 'ohana in honor of this Summer Solstice!
Sunday, June 21st from 10:00am to 2:00pm

The month begins with bountiful rain—a beautiful and nourishing start to summer. We hope this will translate into a planting event together, and in any case, the forest will benefit from care for the young seedlings already established.

Please come prepared for forest work in variable conditions: long pants and sleeves, sturdy shoes or boots, a hat, gloves, rain gear, plenty of water, and lunch.

Parking is located between mile markers 16–17 at the Highway 130 and Upper Puna Road junction (just above Black Sands).

To help us prepare, please register for the event at [email protected] and be sure to email a completed waiver form if this is your first time, or bring a hard copy with you on the day.

Aloha kakou, BIG NEWSOne of the biggest and most exciting milestones in HER’s journey is finally underway — fencing has ...
05/07/2026

Aloha kakou,

BIG NEWS
One of the biggest and most exciting milestones in HER’s journey is finally underway — fencing has officially begun at the Keauʻohana Restoration Site!

This marks a profound turning point in the stewardship and protection of our precious lowland rainforest. With the fencing in place, young native plantings will now have the opportunity to grow and thrive without the constant impacts of feral pig activity. We are deeply grateful to everyone whose support, dedication, and belief in this work has helped make this long-awaited step possible.

APRIL IN REVIEW
Although every day is Earth Day, April always brings a special focus on environmental awareness and appreciation. It is also officially recognized as National Native Plant Month, making it an especially meaningful time for restoration efforts across Hawaiʻi. In honor of this, the Keauʻohana crew planted 152 native seedlings into the forest, continuing the ongoing work of restoring habitat and biodiversity within this special place.

Lā Honua / Earth Day at the UHH campus was especially bright and joyful this year, and Hawaiʻi Environmental Restoration (HER) was grateful to celebrate our shared love for the Earth alongside students, teachers, and community members. It is always inspiring to connect through conversations, stories, and hands-on learning that remind us of the many ways, both great and small, that we can support and protect our native ecosystems.

MAY UPCOMING EVENTS

May 9th – Waiʻele Beach Cleanup
Meet at Keone Place (Government Beach Road, just past Payapa Farms Road; turn left at the orange gate for secure parking)
9:30 a.m. until pau

May 9th – Activate Puna Event
Downtown Pāhoa at Hale Halawai O Puna
3:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

May 15th – Rotary Club Presentation
Presentation by HER President Jaya Dupuis
Grand Naniloa Hotel

Mahalo nui loa for your continued support. Each of you plays a part in this ongoing restoration.
With aloha, The HER ʻOhana
Together, we restore forests—and the future. 🌿

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Pahoa, HI

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