Blog

September 28, 2022

Keau’ohana Fall Equinox Event

HER Fall equinox event on September 24th was a rainy day in the Keau’ohana paradise, and the 28 seedlings planted welcomed every drop! It was an exciting array of native plant species that have a historical presence in this low elevation region but that are largely rare today: among them are papala kepau, manono, ho’awa, hame, loulu, olomea, oha kepau. We are blessed to give them this opportunity to thrive in a rare native lowland habitat amid ancient peers!

Again we want to thank Will Stein and Rain Pacifico who nurtured the babies from seed. They had been looking forward to this special moment of release into the forest of Keau’ohana, where we hope they shall prosper! We also want to thank several of our volunteers who travelled from Kona side to participate in this event. It was a wet but heartwarming time together!

July 29, 2022

Youtube video of HER Malama O ka ‘Aina Presentation

Jaya Dupuis Blog

The Natural Environment Resource Capacity Area (RCA) and Big Island Invasive species (BIISC) are proud to co-host a series of webinars talking with and learning from the folks doing work to restore and protect the natural environment of Puna. Hawaii Environmental Restoration was their first guest, in which as CEO and Project Director, I offered a presentation on what it means to “Malama o ka ‘Āina”, to take care of the land, here in Hawai’i!

This was an opportunity to also share with the public about our environmental work in the forest and how this relates to questions of sustainability. It was a pleasure to share the work my team and I are doing to preserve a precious piece of Hawaii’s lowland native rainforest in Keau’ohana. A youtube was created of the event which is open for viewing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy6_BhdGels

If you have an interest in viewing a more consolidated version of this Hawai’i environmental presentation which does not include “technological moments” it has also been posted on HER Youtube account for public viewing: https://youtu.be/gB22srZoZ5U or can be found on the website’s outreach section on the home page. We hope you will take an hour to better inform yourselves about ways in which you as valuable community members could also help support the lowland environment from the comfort of your own back yards.

July 27, 2022

Rustic Pathways July 18th and 25th Groups; and Summer Totals

Jaya Dupuis Blog

The past weeks finalized our last two groups for a successful summer program with Rustic Pathways! Much hard work was accomplished with so many wonderful new faces; it was a learning journey for all! The forest is in much better condition in problematic zones surrounding core restoration site areas, and for that the Keau’ohana crew is very grateful. The forest breathes easier as well!

HER Rustsic Pathway experience brought in 6 groups over 6 weeks for a grand total of 90 volunteers who together accomplished 381 volunteer hours in Keau’ohana! It was a meaningful experience where students from all over the world received a hands-on opportunity to learn about the Hawaiian environment and culture during a two week adventure filled time here.

July 18th Group

We are proud of all these young adults for being part of the new travelling trend, to give back to the land and its people, as a part of showing care and respect when travelling away from their homeland. Though their experience in the forest may have been rather challenging in comparison to the demands coming from what seemed largely rooted in urban living, we hope that on some level they have derived a deeper sense of themselves and the earth upon which they live. We did witness a fair bit of smiles and laughter between each other amid the toil!

Once again we at Hawaii Environmental Restoration offer our sincere thanks for the willingness and effort so generously given. We also want to thank Rustic Pathways for their generous donations toward the work we do; it is very touching to feel such a conscientious approach to traveling abroad!

July 25th Group

July 19, 2022

Revitalize Puna Event in Pahoa July 12th

Jaya Dupuis Blog

On July 12th, the fifth activation in the Revitalize Puna series was held at the new Pahoa Gym, co-hosted by the Kīlauea Recovery Team and Council District 4. The goal of the quarterly activations is to bring community and County together regularly to share information and perspectives, build relationships, and increase trust and collaboration.

HER once again tabled the event in order to inform the public of our environmental work in the community. It is always a very dynamic and inspiring occasion to meet new people and support them in understanding vegetation issues and solutions here at home.

Progress presentations from Directors and staff, and information sharing with the public is a great way for the community to come together. I congratulate Ashley Kierkiewicz and her hard working team in their success with bringing a growing community together in this way; it is truly a bonding and revitalizing event! And the food is awesome, while supporting local vendors…

July 5, 2022

July 4th Rustic Pathways Group 3 — Awesome!

Jaya Dupuis Blog

Rustic Pathways group three was strong and hardy, making a big beautiful difference in a very challenging forest area on the east side. They accomplished a full day of kokua (help) and managed to do so in resilient spirits! We are pretty sure they came out feeling some pride in satisfaction in giving back to Hawai’i after a couple weeks of enjoyment here.

These young adults return home with increased ike (knowledge) about the cumulation of human impact on our precious home environment, and the importance of taking part in making our shared world, healthier and more beautiful. Beauty in this sense includes what we do not see, in how we feel when working together as a global community in support of each other, and the earth that sustains us! Thank you for contributing to the habitat of so many living beings. Keau’ohana smiles upon you!

June 20, 2022

June 18th Summer Solstice Work-party!

Jaya Dupuis Blog

HER Summer Solstice volunteer event on Saturday June 18^th was attended by many bright spirits in celebration of the last longest days of the 2022. Between 12 of us, we accomplished 48 volunteer hours, clearing a large section in the lower East Volunteer loop. Clouds helped subdue the summer heat as we comingled in the forest, pulling out the many intruders. We even had a new volunteer chainsaw several large trees laying across the path, making it clear for our forest crew! And of course, our dear Masa contributed his usual breakdown and consolidation of nearby dead stems and limbs.

It was so heartwarming to see our dedicated Keau’ohana community members working alongside sparkling new supporters. We are thankful to each of you for your energetic interest. Hard work was made easy, and spirits elevated. Hawaiian hawks accompanied us to the end indicating happy ancestors looking upon us!

Mahalo Ka hele ana mai – Thank you for coming!

June 14, 2022

A Summer Agenda with Rustic Pathways

Jaya Dupuis Blog

This summer HER is booked with exciting volunteer forest restoration events for traveling students though Rustic Pathways. Since 1983 Rustic Pathways has been operating intentionally designed, transformative student-travel programs that empowers students through innovative and responsible travel experiences to positively impact lives and communities around the world.

With operations in 19 countries around the world, they work alongside local organizations in their mission to safeguard biodiversity, and preserve and honor the land, history, and culture of place. Student groups have a rich two week agenda to enjoy while being in Hawaii. Yesterday they gave four hours of their time to help out the Keau’ohana rainforest. They were dispersed among a crew of five in an area difficult to navigate; something to be proud of!

Rustic Pathways

May 10, 2022

Lake Champlain Waldorf Students of Vermont — May 9th

Jaya Dupuis Blog

This group of students travelled to Hawai’i from Vermont! Lake Champlain Waldorf is a small independent school that focuses on immersive, transdisciplinary learning. These seniors chose Hawai’i for their senior trip specifically for the opportunities to learn about the different natural environments present in the island, and how the environment might be reflected in the culture of Hawai’i.

They spend a full hardy day in the forest with the crew accumulating 24 volunteer hours and accomplishing a large section within a strenuous area. The nephrolepis fern which is a non-native prominent ground cover in the forest, here reaches heights of 5-6 feet, making it difficult to penetrate. These are selectively pulled as a daily measure in order to benefit nearby native seedlings.

It was a glorious sunny day in Keau’ohana! We walked out of the forest with a feeling of satisfaction knowing that the native composition on the upper west boarder is breathing easy for another cycle!

May 4, 2022

Land Blessings on Earth Day

Jaya Dupuis Blog

Land Clearing and Uniting

Earth Day was imbued with mana (power) and meaning as we performed a sacred ceremony for dear friends who recently acquired properties both in Puna area. Kanako and Ashley, as well as Desiree and Brandon, were two happy couples as we joined to cleanse the land, and confirm their spiritual ties and commitments as official guardians and stewards.

It is indeed a sacred kuleana (responsibility) to own land, especially on land that is not native to us. Part or HER intention in offering this rite of passage, is to give newcomers an opportunity to enter a sacred rapport with the earth here; one that honors and perpetuates the Hawaiian culture.

The chanting of “Kunihi” initiated an official and spiritual request for permission to enter the grounds; we then quietly walked to a modest central ahu/altar were the pu/conch welcomed in ancestors from the four directions; chants and pule/prayers were offered prior to the clearing; and then a small traditional-type ho’okupu/gift offering. The couples will plant ti on both sides of the entrance, and at the four corners of the property for endured protection.

The ritual was followed by discussion about questions of vegetation, in support of native plant species, Polynesian (and other beneficial) introductions, and invasive species’ control. This manner of entrance is for those wishing to show appropriate sensitivities as they endeavor to create a harmonious and sustainable existence with the land’s inherent ancestors, natural spirits and elementals.

April 19, 2022

Earth Week, National Volunteer Week and Native Hawaiian Plant Month

Jaya Dupuis Blog

Earth week, National Volunteer week, and Hawaiian Native Plant month were celebrated with zeal yesterday, the 18^th of April; and not a drop of rain after such a very wet period! Thirteen volunteers totaled 47 volunteer hours along with two paid crew workers, and my self.

We arrived at the forest parking entrance to find it weed wacked and attended by our Black Sand security volunteer, Gilbert Hauanio! Efforts began after protocol, with tending the east, central and west volunteer areas as three separate groups, in preparation for the planting of 44 seedlings.

Ann Kobsa, also present, donated a great variety of species including ‘ohe, loulu, lama, ohi’a, kopiko, kolea, alahe’e, and kolomona; and Linda Larish, our Sierra club volunteer contributed 24 mamaki seedlings.

We are so grateful to our community members and to those travelling from abroad for coming to make a difference in our beloved rainforest of Keau’ohana!

Mahalo Nui Loa to all!

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