Koʻolau Mountains Watershed Partnership KMWP

08/12/2026

KMWP is hosting a Native Plant Appreciation Day at our Baseyard Shadehouse on Saturday August 22nd. Join in for this fun opportunity to dig in and learn more about the native plants of the Ko'olau Mountain range and how you can grow them in your own backyard.

Participants will spend their day getting hands-on skill training and presentations about our native plants. Topics will include: pest control, weeding, how to care for and grow the native plants, selecting the right plant for your area, propagation, and the value of increasing native plant coverage in our watersheds from mauka to makai.

Space is limited so get your signups in today. Priority will be given to active Mālama nā Ko'olau volunteers and educators, but all are welcome regardless of age or ability.

Waivers and participation agreements will be signed on the day of the event, but reservations must be made and confirmed at least 12 hours before the event occurs.

You can RSVP and find more information about the event at this link: https://tockify.com/kmwpvolunteerevents/detail/73/1787425200000

PS: We have a challenge for all of you out there who know their native plants. In the event flyer, we have included images that represent 9 of the native plants found in the Ko'olau range. Can you find them all and ID them? Leave your answers in the comments section.

If you need a hint, you can scroll to the last image in this post to see the location of all 9 of the plants on the flyer. You can use Hawaiian or Scientific names for the plants, but extra points if you know both. We will let you know if you got the ID correct. Even more bonus points if you ID some of the other plants shown in our photos. Have fun!

08/09/2026

Happy Hawaiian Honeycreeper Day!!!

These unique and beautiful birds are such an important part of our native forests, so we want to celebrate them. When the Hawaiian honeycreepers are abundant, the forests thrive because as they flit from tree to tree drinking nectar, they carry the pollen to each new flower they visit. This helps our native trees like the 'Ōhi'a lehua to get their flowers pollinated so they can grow the seeds needed to ensure that the next generation of our forest trees are able to grow.

Sadly, many of them are rare, threatened, endangered or extinct because they have lost much of their forest home to destructive invasive species and because diseases like avian malaria that are spread by mosquitos have devastated their populations. There was a time when you could walk through forests full of their beautiful calls, now it is a rare treat to even hear one, let alone catch a glimpse of them. See if you can spot them in our video and listen for their lovely calls.

The work we do to care for native forests and remove invasive species helps to rebuild and rejuvenate their home, but there is still a lot of important work to do in order to protect these precious creatures. We are especially worried as the effects of increasing global temperatures moves the mosquito line further and further towards the last sanctuary forests where these birds survive.

You can learn more about the Honeycreepers and other native forest birds, and find some fun activities for keiki here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/manu/

08/06/2026

***update: signups extended to today!!!, don't miss your chance to join in for this service learning adventure!***

08/04/2026

***update: signups extended to today!!!, don't miss your chance to join in for this service learning adventure!***

We have had an abundance of late season rain in the Ko'olau throughout July. This is a great boon for our native species as we prepare for the hotter and drier months that are coming, but invasive species like Guinea grass (aka. California grass) are taking advantage of the water to grow into big piles of fire fuel just before the hottest months of the year.

This is an important time to manage invasive species in our forested areas so that the native species we are protecting and the land we are restoring can make the most of the extra water while it is available. Working to clear invasive species helps our land thrive by ensuring that more of our precious soil and water are held in place instead of washing out to the ocean and causing flood and reef damage. This work also helps to reduce the risks of fires that can devastate our forests and communities.

We offer our monthly service-learning volunteer opportunities to help everyone build the skills and knowledge to be effective stewards of our island home. They are your chance to connect to all of the various areas of the Ko'olau mountains and prepare to take an active role in caring for the 'āina.

Would you like to learn more about our amazing dryland forests and how they protect us from fires? Then join the Mālama Nā Ko‘olau Double Day at Ala Mahamoe on Saturday, August 15th.

All ages and ability levels are welcome, but you need to RSVP and become a registered KMWP Volunteer to join in on the fun. Don't miss out on this awesome opportunity, be sure to sign up right away, RSVPs are due TOMORROW, August 4th!

There are two sessions, a morning and an afternoon one. Volunteers may sign up for whichever one fits their schedule or for a full-day experience, do both:
Session 1: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Session 2: 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Full Day: 9:00am - 3:30pm, with a 45 minute break at noon for lunch

For more information about this event, as well as instructions for how to sign up, you can visit our Events Calendar: https://tockify.com/kmwpvolunteerevents/detail/58/1786820400000

or email us: [email protected]

08/04/2026

In July, KMWP attended the Hawaii Conservation Conference to connect, gain insight into new and emerging science, and delve into the wealth of knowledge held in our collective community.

It was a great opportunity to embrace this year's theme, "'Imi i ke ēwe o ka 'āina" - "guided by the wisdom of the land." If you take the time to kilo (observe) the land will tell you what it needs and how our actions or inactions impact it. For a long time the resources of our land were treated as endless and unable to be depleted, but we have seen how this impacts us and it is clear that mindset misses so much of what our land is telling us. Our relationship with the land is reciprocal, if we care for it and do our part to be good stewards, from mauka into makai, the land provides for us.

There was a great deal of wisdom to be gained from the conference and an understanding that we were building a better tomorrow together. One especially promising thing was the push for stewardship that was collaborative across the landscape from mauka into makai and a drive to bring community into the picture. Whether you call it ahupua'a or watershed or any other name, the partnership that crosses boundaries and the connections that are built on that dedication creates a sense of community belonging that people of all ages are craving.

This dedication to working across boundaries buoy's KMWP's mission to connect landowning and associate partners across the Ko'olau mountain range. We continue to push forward with the goal of protecting, restoring, and enhancing our watershed resources while we empower our communities to do the same through education and hands-on skill training. Together we are building the foundations of a thriving future with sustained water resources and functioning watersheds for all.

Cheers to another wonderful year of the Hawaii conservation conference and all of the knowledge and wisdom gained and shared when we come together to push for a better future for our islands!

If you attended the conference, be sure to share your insights in the comments.

07/22/2026

UPDATE!!! We have extended our application deadline.

Are you looking for a fulfilling career where you can utilize your skills to make a difference in watershed conservation? Well, now is your chance to join the KMWP team and build the foundations of a better future for the watersheds of the Ko'olau mountains.

📣We are hiring for a full-time Program Associate

This position is ideal for an enthusiastic well-organized person who cares about the native forests and our island's resources and is ready to help us to continue our mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing the watershed of the Ko'olau. If you have experience with office administration, grants, budgets, and finances, this will be a great fit. Check out the listing on RCUH.com and apply today to be part of the ever awesome KMWP crew. Your skills can help our organization continue the vital work we do for our precious watershed resources and native ecosystems.

Visit the link here for more details and to apply:
https://hr.rcuh.com/psc/hcmprd_exapp/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=3&JobOpeningId=226401&PostingSeq=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawTOM05leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFLZEtxTXJ4YzQ0RkFHWjFsc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTE0NzcxNTY5MjI4MDYxAAEeyojE3E1liyW4IK_XMDk-MRXWqFQqZKznW6J6WVYMV4bDns5F_VC_sznLw9A_aem_1dSkuYnwX24tFXnnFsaZaw

You can also, visit RCUH.com, click on opportunities and Job openings, or find the job openings button under quick links, then scroll down and click the "Explore open positions and apply now" button, then search for KMWP or Listing ID # 226401

🗓Closing Date is August 3rd, 2026, don't miss out!

07/22/2026

07/14/2026

Are you an outgoing person who is passionate about caring for the 'āina and interested in a career in conservation? Well, now is your chance to join the KMWP team and put your talents to work by helping to build the foundations of a better future all across the Ko'olau Mountains.

📣KMWP is hiring for a full-time Community Outreach and Education Associate

As an associate member of the outreach team you will play an important role in connecting the communities of the Ko'olau mountains with the watersheds that sustain them. We do this through a combination of educational presentations, and hands-on skill training so that we can empower the people of this island to become effective stewards of their watershed resources.

This is an exciting and dynamic job that is well suited for someone who cares deeply for our native forests and ecosystems and wants to share that with others. The work will be a balance of time in the office with time outdoors and cover a range of topics from forest restoration, to invasive species removal, watershed function, and more. You will also be spearheading our RAD (Rapid Albizia Death) program to help communities come together to deal with the threats posed by this invasive tree.

Your skills can help our organization continue the vital work we do to restore, enhance, protect, and preserve our precious watershed resources and native ecosystems. Apply today to be part of this awesome crew and help us mālama the Ko'olau mountains.

Visit the link here for more details and to apply :
https://hr.rcuh.com/psc/hcmprd_exapp/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=3&JobOpeningId=226415&PostingSeq=1

You can also, visit RCUH.com, click on opportunities and Job openings, or find the job openings button under quick links, scroll down and click the "Explore open positions and apply now" button, then search for KMWP or Listing ID # 226415

🗓Closing Date is July 23rd 2026, don't miss out!

07/13/2026

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be part of the KMWP team? Well now is your chance to explore a fulfilling career in conservation!

📣KMWP is hiring for a full-time Program Associate

We are looking for an enthusiastic person to join our admin team and help us to continue our mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing the watershed of the Ko'olau. If you have experience as an office administrator and with budgets and finances, apply today to be part of this awesome crew. Your skills can help our organization continue the vital work we do for our precious watershed resources and native ecosystems.

Visit the link here for more details and to apply:
https://hr.rcuh.com/psc/hcmprd_exapp/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=3&JobOpeningId=226401&PostingSeq=1

You can also, visit RCUH.com, click on opportunities and Job openings, or scroll down to find the job openings button under quick links, scroll down and click the "Explore open positions and apply now" button, then search for KMWP or Listing ID # 226401

🗓Closing Date is July 20th 2026, don't miss out!

07/04/2026

If you are interested in learning about native plants and helping to care for a growing forest, we have a special opportunity coming up this month. On Saturday, July 18th, volunteers will be able to join us for a day of service-learning adventures in Waihe'e Valley. This event will include the chance to take part in a forest restoration project, plant native species, clear invasive threats, and we will end the day with a visit to the board of water supply tunnel to learn more about why we are doing all of this work for our watersheds.

Don't miss out, we have limited space and these events usually fill up fast.

Who: We accept volunteers of all ages and ability levels. We want to welcome you to join the KMWP volunteer hui to learn about the vital role our native forests play in providing abundant wai for future generations and how we can all take on our kuleana to care for the land that supports us.

**RSVPs and KMWP waivers are due Tuesday, July 7th.**

What: Activities for the day will include invasive species removal within the native restoration site, trail and bush clearing, planting, optional site tours, and an optional visit to the Waihe'e Water tunnel.

Where: Waiheʻe Valley Forest Restoration Site.
All access to this site is through a locked gate and to enter or exit you will need to be accompanied by someone from KMWP or the Board of water supply. We can arrange for early departures, but we cannot accommodate late arrivals, so be sure to plan ahead.

When: July 18th, 9am to 2pm
- Meet for check-ins at 8:30 at the Kahaluʻu Regional Park.
- We'll caravan from there to the worksite.
-After a brief overview and a presentation on UXO safety, we will begin our volunteer activities.
-We will break for lunch around noon and offer site tours and native plant walks after our break.
Anyone who needs to leave early may do so at this time, but they will miss the tunnel tour.
-at 1:00pm we will meet with someone from the Board of Water supply and begin our tour of the water tunnel that goes 1500 feet into the mountainside.

Why: Caring for this site helps us to provide an educational resource to community organizations in the area and protect our watershed resources. It also helps to improve water quality for the Waihe'e stream system, and reduce erosion and flood risks for the area.

**To Join, please visit our events calendar here:
https://tockify.com/kmwpvolunteerevents/detail/56/1784401200000

In addition to becoming a registered KMWP volunteer, all participants must fill out board of water supply waivers that will be provided to you upon completion of your KMWP volunteer registration and forms.