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7/9/08 Hawaii Environmental Restoration Projects/Events with Community 2019 KAMAHAMEHA LANDS — RESTORATION STRATEGIES DISCUSSION Project coordinator, Jaya Dupuis met with environmental specialists for Kamehameha Lands, Rebecca Mililani Browning, Amber Namaka Whitehead, and Natalie Kurashima, to discuss restoration strategies for Pu'u Kaliu, only a short ways up Highway 130 from Keau'ohana. Although the Pu'u Kaliu site has experienced a very rapid degradation of its native forest over the past few years, the rare 'ohe tree and the endangered ha'iwale are relatively abundant there. Collaborating together may help to secure rare and endangered species in both locations. MORNING WITH HAWAII ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES STUDENTS, PAHOA Jaya facilitated a group event in the forest with a dozen students from the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences. Teacher, Heather Gleason, has an environmental science degree and seeks to convey the importance in taking care of the land to her students. After the brief Hawaiian protocol and educational talk/orientation, students conducted the hand pulling of invasive species and re- established compost piles in the lower west volunteer area. Principle weeds in order of severity included erichtites clidemia, thimble berry, basket grass, waiawi, cecropia. 31ST ANNUAL EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII On Friday, April 26th the 31st annual Earth Day Celebration Conservation Career Day Event was held at the University of Hawai'i in Hilo. Over 1500 students and teachers from local schools attended. It was a bustling day full of education and fun for the kids. Hawaii Environmental Restoration tabled this event'and engaged with many curious minds to explain about the Keau'ohana Native Rainforest project and its importance to Hawaii. Informational exhibits and science demonstrations, and many other engaging activities were offered as were free plants and other giveaways throughout the day. It is so essential for our young people to be exposed to opportunities like this that honor and respect our precious planet. TROPICAL LIVING(FESTIVAL The Hawai'i Academy of Arts and Science in Pahoa held its 3rd annual Tropical Living Festival. We offered community outreach for the Keau'ohana Forest project at this Big Island's community, culture, and environment event. We recruited 9 new volunteers and enjoyed connecting with interested people and supporters about the work involved in keeping this precious forest resource. As part of a senior project, Mahina's offered 50 hours of volunteer time both at this event and in the forest. Mahalo Mahina! UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ECOLOGY CLASS We enjoyed having 13 Hilo University students and their kumu Heather Kimball, in the forest for a couple hours of restoration work on April 8th. This field experience was a service learning opportunity to support the practical application for their education in ecological studies. SPRING EQUINOX QUARTERLY KEAU'OHANA WORK PARTY A dozen community volunteers appeared for a lovely spring equinox day in the forest. Our restoration efforts helped to clear a large area in the forest just south of the east volunteer circle (see site map). Out-lying albizia and cecropia trees on the outside edge of the restoration site were treated as well, which will help minimize the spread of seed into the interior. It was a great day! Thank you forest supporters!!! VOLUNTEERS FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD We had the privilege of having a very dynamic group come in from Les Trois Basin, on the Island of La Reunion, very near to the island of Madagascar in Africa. A total of 20 attendees accrued 70 work hours in invasive species control, hand-pulling, composting of weeds, and wood consolidation in a sizable area below the west volunteer loop.