WaikÅloa Dry Forest Initiative’s 9th Annual Wiliwili Festival:February 8, 2020
Get to know more about Hawaii’s natural history by attending the WaikÅloa Dry Forest Initiative’s 9th Annual Wiliwili Festival on February 8 at the WaikÅloa Stables, Hawaii Island.
This is a free, enjoyable event and features information, activities, workshops, talks and tours of the WaikÅloa Dry Forest Preserve. Information and great learning experiences make for a good outing. Learn more about it on the WaikÅloa Dry Forest Initiative site.
State Department of Land and Natural Resources Seeks Partner for Pu’u Mali Forest Carbon Project-North Slope of Mauna Kea–Hawai’i Island
The State Department of Land and Natural Resources seeks a partner for Pu’u Mali Forest Carbon Project on the north slope of Mauna Kea on Hawai’i Island.
From the DLNR, “The Pu’u Mali Restoration Area (PMRA) is an area of about 5,500 acres which used to be prime forest habitat before being converted into agricultural land. The area was fenced and domestic and feral ungulates were removed. Beginning in 2004, and continuing presently, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife(DOFAW) has conducted a forest restoration program on the proposed addition to re-forest agricultural grasslands with the purpose to recharging the watershed and providing a long-term habitat for Palila (Loxides bailleui)”.
A video, map and the request for proposals are here.
The Kukui-Hawaii’s State Tree
In 1930, the coconut palm became Hawaii’s official tree and served this role until 1959. On May 1, 1959 the 30th Territorial Legislature of Hawaii approved the Kukui or candlenut tree, Aleurites moluccana, as the state’s official tree. Read more about the Kukui tree’s special place in Hawaiian culture in Jason Moore’s, Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine article, The Tree of Light .
Also, see Aleurites moluccana on the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resource–Hawaii Forestry Extension site which has a reprint of the USDA Agriculture Handbook No. 679 by Elbert L. Little Jr. and Roger G. Skolmen, 1989
Supporting Kauai’s Forest Song
The Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project (KFBRP) promotes knowledge, appreciation and conservation of Kauai’s native forest birds. The organization focuses mainly on three federally endangered species: Puaiohi, ‘Akikiki, and ‘Akeke‘e.
To find out more about this collaborative organization visit their site .
If you’re looking for exquisite forest-bird-inspired fashion which keeps you cool, displays beautiful art work by artist, Eleanor Grosch, AND helps keep Kauai’s forest song going visit here.
Weekend Musings–“In the Land of Giants” NY Times Article by Jon Mooallem Gives and Finds Sequoia Perspective
In our weekend musings about what’s tracking with forests in other places, Author, Jon Mooallem, gets some human perspective from giant sequoias on a wintry visit to California’s Sequoia National Park in a New York Times article,  In the Land of the Giants. Mooallem provides history on the park’s establishment which includes back story on the Kaweah Colony, a collective of fifty three individuals who, in 1885, filed, according to Mooallem, for “8,000 adjoining acres centered in the Giant Forest.”  Great article for historic facts and Mooallem’s perspectives on these giants’ timelines, the public’s reaction to them and his own visit to the park.
