Jaya Dupuis

About Jaya Dupuis

Posts by Jaya Dupuis:

November 13, 2024

Kūkūau Grounds Visit

On November 8th, our Lowland Wet Forest Working Group (LWFWG) visited Kūkūau, a 1,600 acre healthy early succession ohia/uluhe forest site, hosting a number of other native species, and showing much promise to future biodiverse native forest land above Hilo.

This lovely forest is under the stewardship of the Hawai’i Land Trust, whose responsibility it is to: “protect lands that are integral to Hawaiʻi’s well-being and character, upholding kuleana to these lands, and the communities they are in, through thoughtful stewardship that deepens community connection and builds reciprocal relationships with ʻāina”. Restoration manager, Ulu Kealiikanakaoleohaililani (above) facilitated our 4-wheel drive adventure to the interior of site, for an inspiring walkabout and dynamic discussion!

The LWFWG is a collaboration between following entities:

BIISK — Big Island Invasive Species Committee
HER – Hawaii Environmental Restoration
HIARNG – Hawaii Army National Guard / Keaukaha study/experimental plots
HILT—Hawai’i Land Trust
OHA – Office of Hawaiian Affairs/ Wao Kele o Puna
Pohaku Pelemaka / Puna coast protection and preservation
UH Hilo – University of Hawaii at Hilo
USDA FS IPIF – US Dept. of Ag /Institute of Pacific Island Forestry
USGS PIERC — Pacific island Ecosystems Research Island Forestry
KS – Kamehameha Schools

By collaborating together we strive to ensure best possible restoration practices for each of our projects in support of remaining lowland wet forest environments in Hilo and Puna Districts. Collectively, we are working toward developing a cohesive stewardship manual for public support regarding native vegetation and invasive species issues.

October 24, 2024

Hawaiʻi Island Weed Management Forum 10/23

Jaya Dupuis Blog

A collaboration between Big Island Invasive species (BIISC), the National Park Service (NPS), Three Mountain Alliance (TMA) and the University of Hilo (UHH) Ecosystem Extension brought East Hawai’i environmental managers together yesterday to make connections and exchange information, and to bolster collective weed management and restoration efforts occurring in our community.

HER shared among other presenters offering synopses of projects being conducted, with a focus on the challenges and successes regarding invasive species control. It was a powerful opportunity to engage around inspiring techniques and achievements.

Talks and activities, both structured and unstructured throughout the day provided a warm environment to support one another in what is very demanding but necessary work.

HER participated in the Hawai’i Island Weed Management Forum annually in prior years. We are excited to see this opportunity reemerge, and grateful to those who worked so hard in rekindling this important community event. The most valuable part of such an exchange aside from shared information to become more effective in our mutual goals to support a healthy environment is the moral support provided by working together and networking.

October 8, 2024

Special Ekaha Planting — October 7th

Jaya Dupuis Blog

HER had a special and spontaneous planting of 70 native ferns in the forest yesterday, 64 of which were the beloved Ekaha, also known as the bird nest ferns. Ekaha are epiphytes who ideally like to perch themselves up high in the canopy, but survive well on a shady forest floor given the chance.

A hardy mother and daughter team visiting from Florida, Bonnie and Courtney, supported Jaya in finding shady nooks for them while also joining HER weekly restoration efforts with the crew in the control of invasive species.

A big thank you to community member Jennifer Perry, who donated these healthy plants to HER. These were harvested by Board members Jaya and Tom, from her 8 acre longon orchard in Kapoho.

September 26, 2024

Sept 22nd Fall Equinox Planting in Keau’ohana

Jaya Dupuis Blog

Fall Equinox in the forest was extra special this year due to the presence of Inigo, a LEMU representative and his entire ‘ohana. LEMU is an innovative conservation support platform based in Mexico that helps fund HER Keau’ohana project. Inigo and his family attended the planting event to give back while vacationing in Hawaii, and he took the opportunity to also conduct an interview of HER for a LEMU report.

“Another bridge to connect with each other has been built. Try the LEMU app to learn, explore and support conservation projects like ours. Now we can work together to tackle the environmental crisis and make a positive impact.” Download the LEMU app to support climate change solutions here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lemu-climate-change-solution/id1585824882

There are 23 vibrant people to thank for making this event a sweet success; a much greater turn-out than had been expected. Participants planted 250 seedlings into the forest and acquired a total of 80 volunteer hours!

July 22, 2024

La ‘Ohana o Pohoiki’ Festival — July 20th

Jaya Dupuis Blog

La ‘Ohana o Pohoiki’ Festival, was a celebration and gathering for the generational ʻohana of Pohoiki and all ʻohana. It was a day to bring our community together and learn from one another through a diverse range of workshops, performances, and exhibitors.

This special event, organized by Na Maka Haloa and Hua ‘Āina in collaboration with the County of Hawai’i and Kamehameha Schools, was deeply successful in its aim to foster connection to Hawaiian culture and traditions for future generations. HER was honored to table the event, and recruited 16 more subscribers and volunteers!

July 15, 2024

Two Special Events on Saturday 13th!

Jaya Dupuis Blog

Revitalize Puna and Koa’e Coast Cleanup

HER was involved in two special events on Saturday
the 13^th of July! First was a marine debris cleanup, collaboratively organized by the Koa`e Community Association, Malama O Puna, and Hawaii Environmental Restoration, which recruited 26 volunteers from the Koa`e/Wa`awa`a area. In total, 750 pounds of waste were removed, requiring a total of 83 person-hours. Gloves, bags, and vehicle stipends were generously provided by Hawai`i County’s PONC Maintenance Fund. Everyone had fun enjoying delicious mangoes found all along the alanui kahakai beneath canopies of kukui, ulu, hala, avocado, monkeypod, ocean almond, and coconut. See video by Diga Kern! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4HQxnfkYdA

Our other event was the 11^th and final Revitalize Puna Event in Pahoa where more than 550 community members, staff and volunteers joined. The Puna community has come a long way over the past several years thanks to organizers of this quarterly event, County Representative Ashley Kierkiewicz , Zoe Callahan, and many others. These events have been a bonding community experience for so many, and we at HER are encouraged in our work both on the grounds and with the people.

June 24, 2024

Summer Solstice Planting Celebration — June 22nd

Jaya Dupuis Blog

Summer Solstice in the forest could not have been better; our bright group of 18 participants planted an array of over 100 native trees while also composting invasive species in the Keau’ohana site!

The event had parking lot security from nearby Black Sands resident, Gilbert Hauanio, which we much appreciate! Thank you again and again, to Ann Kobsa for continuing to donate her many keiki, grown with such care!

It was a joy filled day of celebration under the sun, in honor of the longest days of the year. Thankfully, rains blessed the forest the night prior and the night after the event; offering us a dry occasion to “malama o ka ‘aina”!

May 23, 2024

Trinity University Group Event from BC, Canada

Jaya Dupuis Blog

HER Trinity University group event from British Columbia, Canada, did wonders in the forest this Monday the 20th of May! This travel study focused on marine studies for its first 2 weeks, and HER volunteer day was their initiation into their next 2 weeks in tropical botany.

David Clements, Professor of biology & geography and environment accompanied by two mentors and 16 students dedicated a full day to learning and helping the crew restore a large portion of the HER west volunteer loop. Assisted by all 6 crew members and president of HER, the group accomplished 110 volunteer hours. Students were most enthusiastic, making this day a huge success; we are super proud of them!

May 23, 2024

May 18th Maku’u Hala Festival

Jaya Dupuis Blog

The May 18^th Hala Festival located at the Maku’u market place in Puna was a most extraordinary celebration, bringing together Puna’s community pillars. The event was deeply exciting when it comes to inspiring people about native species, in this case, the cherished Hala (Pandanus tectorius), which has meaningful ecological and cultural importance to Hawaii’s people.

The event hosted numerous workshops, performances, and exhibitors, to help educate and inspire folks to protect hala and its rich traditional value. HER tabled the event, recruiting 36 enthusiastic subscribers and volunteers, the highest number in HER outreach event history.

HER offered a discussion workshop on ways to incorporate the species in our yards and toward sustainable development. The self mulching leaves provide just that, a great source of mulch, particularly for banana crops, but can be turned into soil and help in other food growing ways.

May 23, 2024

LWFWG Wao Kele O Puna Restoration Discussion

Jaya Dupuis Blog

The Lowland Wet Forest Working Group (LWFWG) comes together to discuss strategies and efforts for numerous restoration projects throughout Puna and Hilo Districts. Our most recent meeting was held in support of Wao Kele O Puna, on May 17th during which time we discussed the Office of Hawaiian Affair’s (OHA) management details and restoration strategies for this lovely large 126,000 acre lowland wet forest unit (above 1,000ft).

It was HER third tour of this open centralized area within the forest, secured against geothermal development that had begun many years back. Today Wao Kele of Puna holds a very different vision, with and environmental education program and restoration beginnings that offer promise to the native plant community.

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