Good news for the Hawaii Forest Institute:

Hawai’i Island 02.16.10 ~ The Hawai’i Forest Institute (HFI) has been awarded an $8,000 grant from the Arthur Lawrence Mullaly Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation for the Ka’upulehu Dryland Forest Restoration and Education project. This volunteer outreach project provides dryland forest restoration and forest stewardship opportunities at Ka`upulehu Dryland Forest Preserve in North Kona.

HFI, in conjunction with community partners, is working to sustain fragile endangered dry forest ecosystems and share their unique historical, cultural, restoration, and scientific aspects to Keiki Learning about Drylandbenefit Hawai’i residents and visitors. Volunteers will receive a hands-on, land-based, learning experience to effect positive change in the areas of responsibility, stewardship, and interdependency of all living things.

In 2010, 150 volunteers will participate in stewardship learning events at Ka`upulehu Dryland Preserve. Site stewardship activities will include planting seedlings, collecting and distributing seeds, building trails, and pulling weeds. The project also includes invasive weed control and creating web pages and news articles documenting stories and photographs of the stewardship events.

A portion of this grant will help sponsor the Mauka-Makai Ka`upulehu “Connection Not Forgotten” talk story evening, which is planned for February 25, 2010 at the Kalaemao Cultural Center in North Kona. Speakers Ku’ulei Keakealani, Yvonne Yarber Carter, Keoki Apokolani Carter, and Wilds Planting on DrylandPihanui Brawner will address ahupua’a perspectives connecting land and people, mauka-makai, through a cultural ecology partnership. Restoration, science, cultural history, and contemporary relationships to the land are vital components to the perpetuation of a dynamic Ka’upulehu dryland forest and coastal ecosystem. A grant from Hawai’i County’s Department of Research and Development is also assisting with sponsorship. Call HFI at 808-933-9411 to RVSP for this free informal talk story by February 19.

Other project supporters include: Kamehameha Schools, Bishop Museum, Kukio Resort, and Hawai’i Forest Industry Association.

Source: HFI Press Release