KULANI, HAWAI‘I – A new Christmas tradition is taking place in remote forests above Hilo. Early in the morning, volunteers scan the trees, looking for jewels far more beautiful than any Christmas ornament. These volunteers are on a quest to find Hawai‘i’s rarest native birds. The forests of Kulani are part of the Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve (NAR) managed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW). On Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, the DLNR Natural Area Reserves System (NARS), the Three Mountain Alliance (TMA), and the Hawai‘i Audubon Society and community volunteers will search through the forest and count native birds in an annual survey of the forest.
Natural Area Reserves
The Hawai‘i Forest Stewardship Program provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and land managers committed to the stewardship, conservation and restoration of important forest resources across the state.
DLNR firefighters brought in a private 5000 gallon water tender from Waimea to assist in fire control operations, which are now expected to go through Tuesday Oct. 8 There are 21 Division of Forestry and Wildlife staff on scene.
Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) firefighters today had the fire 100% percent contained at approximately 1 acre. Mop up work will continue this weekend.
“This management plan is part of the DLNR’s goal to increase protection of Hawaii’s forested watersheds, and to protect and restore rare native Hawaiian animals and plants such as the ‘I‘iwi, the Mauna Loa Silversword and the ‘Alalâ,” said William J. Aila, Jr., BLNR Chairperson.
