Blog

January 26, 2026

ʻŌhiʻa Love Fest 2026: Celebrating a Beloved Forest Guardian

ʻŌhiʻa Love Fest 2026 was held on Sunday, January 25, returning for its second year at the Komohana Research and Extension Center in Hilo. The family-friendly event celebrated Hawaiʻi’s beloved ʻōhiʻa tree while raising critical awareness about Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), the fungal disease that continues to threaten this keystone species and the ecosystems it supports.

The day brought the public together with farmers, gardeners, scientists, and environmental organizations in a shared effort to protect Hawaiʻi’s forests. A highlight for many was the plant distribution, where people lined up early to take home an impressive selection that included a strong representation of native species. It was inspiring to see growing community interest in using native plants to beautify home landscapes while supporting ecological resilience.

More than a celebration, ʻŌhiʻa Love Fest served as a powerful reminder of the importance of outreach and education. Hawaiʻi Environmental Restoration (HER) has proudly participated in this event since the onset of the ROD crisis in 2014—the same year our restoration efforts began in the Keauʻohana Forest. As the impacts of the disease intensified, so too did the urgency of our work. Events like this reaffirm our commitment to community engagement and long-term stewardship.

Please view this short video from an earlier ʻŌhiʻa Love Fest at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center which captures the spirit and reach of this movement, reflecting the collective dedication across our island network to protect Hawaiʻi’s most important native tree.

: Photo by JB Friday

: Photo by Toby Haze

: Photo by Lee Schectman

: Photo by FB Friday

: Photo by JB Friday

: Photo by Lee Schectman

: Photo by Tony Haze

: Photo by Lee Schectman

January 26, 2026

UH Hilo Connections Beyond Campus Fair — January 14th

Jaya Dupuis Blog

This year, Hawaiʻi Environmental Restoration (HER) participated in the UH Hilo Connections Beyond Campus Fair on Wednesday, January 14, offering students an opportunity to learn about our work and discover meaningful ways to engage with their community. We were encouraged by the strong interest shown by more than 30 students, several of whom we look forward to welcoming at our Spring Equinox planting this March.

Outreach continues to grow as a vital pathway for HER to share our mission. An increasing number of community events and partnership inquiries reflect a collective desire to reconnect—with the land and with one another. In times of uncertainty, we are witnessing the power of community building firsthand, and the strength that emerges when people come together in service of restoration and shared purpose.

December 22, 2025

HER’s Solstice Planting in Keau’ohana!

Jaya Dupuis Blog

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.

October 8, 2025

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

Jaya Dupuis Blog

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.

September 25, 2025

Sept 21st — Fall Equinox Volunteer Event

Jaya Dupuis Blog

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!

September 25, 2025

Maku’u Market Hala Festival – Sept 20th

Jaya Dupuis Blog

We deeply enjoyed the second community celebration of hala at the Maku’u market place on Saturday the 20^th. 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!

August 29, 2025

Kulani Forest Event – Friday August 22nd

Jaya Dupuis Blog

On Friday the 22^nd 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.

August 12, 2025

Aug 7th Kosasa Gathering on O’ahu

Jaya Dupuis Blog

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/

July 14, 2025

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

Jaya Dupuis Blog

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 30, 2025

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

Jaya Dupuis Blog

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!

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