Please join Keau’ohana Rainforest’s enthusiastic supporters to help restore the largest and most intact lowland forest remaining (<1,000ft) in the State of Hawai’i. Volunteers will largely be pulling invasive species and contributing to compost piles; at times volunteer efforts also include the planting of native seedlings in Keau’ohana.
This is a special opportunity to learn about native plant species as well as how to be empowered around issues of invasive plant species that compromise the health of our general local environment.
In order to volunteer, please begin by signing up below. This will put you on the volunteer list, and subscribe you to our monthly newsletter.
Sign-Up to Volunteer!
If you have not yet participated in HER volunteering program please fill the contact form. It is best if we know how many people will be attending, so please RSVP Jaya by emailing her at dupuis@hawaii.edu
Also, be sure to complete a volunteer waiver form which may be emailed to Jaya prior, or a hard copy can be brought in on the day of the event. We recommend that you write INDEFINITE for the end period if you think you may want to volunteer again.
Please bring long clothes, sturdy shoes/boots, hat, gloves, rain gear, mosquito repellant, snacks and drinking water!
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Safety Protocol
- This is a forest environment without facilities; ground is uneven/ crumbly ‘a’a substrate requiring rugged outdoor shoes/boots. Walking sticks are encouraged for those with less stable footing as it is best not to rely upon the native plant species for balance.
- Forest has been hit by Rapid ‘Ohi’a Death (ROD) therefore some sections have minimal canopy; sun hats and water are important items.
- In case of an incident, there is an Emergency Clinic in Pahoa town less than 5 miles away, and we generally have a CPR/First Aid Certified member along.
- Parking area is directly along Highway 130 however there is a large area for vehicles at the meeting intersection on Upper Puna Road above Black Sands Subdivision. Though there have been no occurrences at this location during special events, vandalism can sometimes be an issue on roadsides, and abandoned cars have at times been discarded there.
Keau’ohana Forest Reserve
Located between mile markers 16-17 on HWY 130, between Pahoa and Kalapana