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Jaya Dupuis

About Jaya Dupuis

Posts by Jaya Dupuis:

HER’s Solstice Planting in Keau’ohana!

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Solstice is always a special moment in the forest of Keauʻohana, marking both a seasonal shift and the turning of the year. This time, an amazing group of 14 participants gathered for several meaningful hours of forest planting. We were blessed with comfortable weather and the collective energy of people working with care and intention.

Together, we planted 182 keiki, each lovingly watered and mulched at the time of planting. Now we await the rains to further bless them, trusting that during this season of Lono i ka Makahiki, an abundance of water will support their growth and future. The forest was truly shining yesterday — and so were the faces of our cherished participants.

May the return of the light bring health, vitality, and renewal to both the land and all who helped nurture it.

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September 30th — Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) Workshop Blog

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The Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) outreach team from the Komohana Research and Extension Center hosted a 2-day outreach workshop for individuals who conduct outreach, non-formal education, and community engagement across the state. The purpose of this workshop was to prepare participants in sharing knowledge about ROD with communities across the islands.

HER took part in the event by hosting the workshop group in Keau’ohana to discuss restoration efforts in a forest impacted by ROD. A large group of 50 attendees were divided into two smaller groups facilitated by President, Jaya Dupuis and some of HER’s crew members. The event made for hardy discussion about restoration practices relating to the spread of ROD.

Most residents have been made aware of the serious threat this fungus poses to Hawaii’s most important native canopy tree, found in almost all of Hawaii’s micro climates from dessert to bog. ʻŌhiʻa is the first to rise out of barren fields of lava to begin the journey of tropical bounty, it is with no question the most significant species to the health of our ‘aina.

ROD presents a most serious threat to the entire State of Hawai’i. We can honestly say it has been the deepest tragedy for our beloved Keau’ohana despite HER’s best efforts. But we are determined to see it through this crisis, and witness the power of  long term restoration. 

Sept 21st  — Fall Equinox Volunteer Event

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Aloha No, Nā Kanaka o ka ‘Āina!

A dozen of us had the pleasure of planting 176 seedlings in Keau’ohana for Equinox this year; these were a hui of plants coming from 4 different sources. It was very exciting to come home from the Hala Festival the day before, with 75 Neleau from BIISC to add to 70 splendid mix of native seedlings from Ann’s Koa’e Nursery, Cory’s wonderful contribution of 18 ‘akia and akiohala from his Māla Lā’au Hawai’i nursery, and 13 milo from my small home nursery.

We planted Milo and Neleau in transition zones to protect the interior site from invasive species encroachment, and hopefully reverse its direction over time. The more tender varieties are nestled tight to join the others in the dance of renewal.

We have so many to thank for the ongoing restoration of this precious forest, and this clearly includes YOU! Thank you for taking the time to inform yourself of HER efforts, and offering moral support in this way; it is truly appreciated!

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Maku’u Market Hala Festival – Sept 20th

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We deeply enjoyed the second community celebration of hala at the Maku’u market place on Saturday the 20th. Mahalo nui loa to the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) and Pōhaku Pelemaka non profit, for their collaboration in bringing to the community this dynamic and culturally rich event!!! This year’s theme was “Ka makani ʻali hala o Puna” or, The wind bearing fragrance of Puna.

The Hala Festival was a day of learning, sharing, and celebrating the multiple uses of hala, from weaving and lei making to storytelling and more. Alongside workshops, the festival  featured live music, cultural talks, food and craft vendors, and educational booths focused on protecting hala from invasive species like hala scale and coconut rhinoceros beetle.

That is where HER came in support of the event, to inspire awareness of our valuable native species and the struggle they continue to endure as they adapt to the many more aggressive introductions that have transformed the original landscape of Hawai’i.

Hala is prized for so many reasons! Its beauty along the coastal waters alone, sends us into a time when vibrant ecosystems were for millions of years unchallenged, something we could only dream of. But that doesn’t mean we cannot work together toward a healthier plant community in which coexisting species may harmonize. This is certainly HER mission, and we are privileged to take part in the long awaited renaissance of Hawaii’s native plant community!  

 

 

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Kulani Forest Event – Friday August 22nd

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On Friday the 22nd of August, some of HER crew, and all of HER board members, convened at a special 3,000ft elevation Kulani road native forest segment, a forest with remarkable intactness and biodiversity. Some of us have been visiting this forest regularly over the past dozen years to soak in its beauty and support its resilience.

The main invasive species finding their way into the understory are the all too familiar clidemia and thimble berry, but with the thorned burden of Himalayan raspberry, a species we are so grateful not to encounter in Keau’ohahana forest.

In seeing the canopy open up due to recent storms and consequent effect of ROD,  HER now entertains the thought of doing an annual effort there by a select number of plant lovers.  We know all too well what lack of management looks like over time especially under such conditions, and hope to see this gem persist.  

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Aug 7th Kosasa Gathering on O’ahu

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HER had the privilege once again of attending the Kosasa Foundation Community-Based Environmental Stewardship (CBES) Grantee Gathering. As in 2024, it was a full day of connection and learning between over 20 Grantee organizations, guests from other funding partners, and the Kosasa Staff, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the UH West Oʻahu Academy of Creative Media.

This was a great opportunity to discuss key questions among informed people from ‘aina-based best practices, to community engagement and trust-building, to diversifying/strengthening funding sources and models. Smaller breakout groups lead to larger ones, and culminated in shared panel discussions between all.

HER took home information on so many possible ways of growing as a small organization through this process. Learning about other non-profit environmental projects and meeting some of their dedicated team members was in itself deeply encouraging. I believe participants returned home feeling understood in their challenges, and valued in their  successes. 

If only all grantors took this approach to supporting members of the environmentally focused community, each and all of our efforts would experience greater effectiveness. One thing we at Hawaii Environmental Restoration appreciate most is a shift in paradigm from competitive to collaborative effort, so finely represented by environmental stewards of land!

Please view last year’s Kosasa video to get an idea of the purpose and nature of these gatherings:

https://www.kosasafoundation.org/2024-cbes-gathering/

✨ “Celebrating Resilience & Aloha: A Recap of Our Amazing Community Day

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Mahalo for an Incredible Community ‘Ohana Day in Pāhoa! 🌺

This past Saturday, our Puna community truly shined. So many residents gathered at the Billy Kenoi District Park Gym in Pāhoa for a vibrant ‘Ohana Day — a celebration of connection, learning, and resilience.

With more than 40 amazing community partners coming together, the event was a lively showcase of local resources, hands-on tools, and inspiring ideas for living more sustainably and being prepared for whatever may come our way here in Hawai‘i.

One of the highlights? Seeing so many folks — from keiki to kūpuna — excited to learn about the plants that shape our daily landscape. Hawai‘i Environmental Restoration kept crowds engaged with practical tips on identifying invasive species, restoring native ecosystems, and even turning pesky plants into healthy soil. 

It was beautiful to watch our community swap gardening stories, and share hopes for a stronger, more self-reliant Puna. Many families left not only with new knowledge, but with free plant keiki to start (or add to) their home gardens!

Mahalo nui to everyone who participated, volunteered, or simply showed up with an open heart. Events like this prove that when we come together, amazing things happen.

We’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to gather and grow. Until then, let’s keep nurturing our ‘āina and each other. 🌱

 

June 28 – Wai’ele Beach Clean-up and Tree Planting

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Sixteen people from the Hawaiʻi Environmental Restoration and the 
Koaʻe Community Association joined together on Saturday, June 28, for a full day of mālama i ka ʻaina along the Government Beach Road at Waiʻele. Waiʻele is a 156 acre cultural forest and ancient village site with some of the most majestic remaining canoe plant canopies in Puna, including extensive kukui, niu, ʻohiʻa ʻai, ulu, and noni representation.  These are intermingled with significant hala groves, and exotic stands of mango, avocado, monkeypod, and ocean almond. 
 
One team collected roadside debris from Papaya Farms Road to Kalaemanu, then embarked on a difficult remote 1/2 mile coastal stretch, gathering marine debris as they went.  The second team entered the forest to transplant 20 ohiʻa ʻai keiki and 18 native trees of 5 different species. Everyone met at Waiʻele to comb the beach, enjoy refreshments, and load out 300 pounds of debris into the truck. 
 
Mahalo to Diga Kern for organizing and to the Hawaiʻi County PONC Stewardship Fund for support. For more information, visit the HER websiteʻs Waiʻele page under the Other Projects menu. Also take a look at HER blog for a great summary of the event and its beautifully produced video produced by Diga Kern, who did an awesome job facilitating the event!
 

Check it out! 

Sweet Summer Solstice on Saturday the 21st

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A dozen of us shared a sweet Summer Solstice planting of a healthy 120 seedlings in Keau’ohana on the 21st of June! Along with a usual abundance of ‘ohe seedlings we included neleau, a robust native canopy tree to help along transition areas on the east boundary. We focused in the morning on the planting of these canopy trees; and in the afternoon spread an abundance of kupukupu and ukiuki in clusters around and below the ahu site so that they may receive careful attention.

Thank you dedicated members and kind volunteers of Keau’ohana who always come through in support of this enduring forest!  Always a special thanks to Ann Kobsa, for providing a healthy abundance of keiki!!!

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Hilo High Student Volunteers, and more – June 16

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HER was rather ambitious this past week as it hosted 3 separate groups in a volunteer forest volunteer restoration day for Keau’ohana. Our team worked together to facilitate 10 Hilo High school students; their kumu; two Big Island Invasive Species (BIISC) community educators; two Stantec (SITC) representatives; and three traveling tourists. 

Hilo High students were central to the experience in their interest to learn about current natural resource management challenges and the skills required to enter and to succeed in the field of conservation management. They were outstanding young men who showed diligence in their work, and respect for others and the ‘aina!

The SITC volunteers were participants of a their company-wide volunteering initiative where Stantec staff across the globe volunteer at organizations like ours to as they state, “bring our hearts and hands together to make a difference in the communities we live and work in”. Since 2013, SITC Week has grown steadily. In 2024, they celebrated 11 years of SITC with over 7,000 employees volunteering alongside 440+ local organizations on five continents.

We were graced with the presence and support of several tourists as well, channeled from our alliance with the Kanu Hawaii Volunteer Program  helping to recruit volunteers in Keau’oahana over the past several years, inviting tourists seeking to give back and enjoy a meaningful experience while in Hawai’i.

Needless to say we accomplished a great deal together despite the complexity at hand, which was achieved in thanks to the Keau’ohana crew who each graciously supported a handful of volunteers, while project Director Jaya Dupuis meandered between them all to help guide challenging efforts and encourage striving students of the land.

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BIISC Community Educators

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