Hawai‘i Island Forest Users

Hilo Arboretum Plant Identification Guide

The Hilo Arboretum is community space located between E Kawili Street and Lanaikāula Street in Hilo. The area is used for planting and can be a great place for residents and visitors to explore and learn about plants. Visit our plant identification guide to explore online or plan your visit.

The ‘Alalā Project

The goal of the ʻAlalā Project is to restore Hawaiʻiʻs native crow to the wild. ʻAlalā are unique treasures of Hawaiian forests, native to this place and found no where else in the world. E Hoʻolāʻau Hou ka ʻAlalā: May the ʻAlalā thrive once again in their forest home! Visit the ʻAlalā Project page to learn more.

Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project

Restoring the high-elevation dry forest is essential to ensuring that palila persist on Hawai‘i island, and the Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project is doing just that. The project works in two areas: Kaʻohe Restoration Area and Puʻu Mali restoration area with the goal of facilitating management that benefits palila and their critical habitat. Visit the Mauna Kea Restoration Project page to learn more.

The Napuʻu Conservation Project

The Napuʻu Conservation Project manages the natural, cultural, and recreational resources found in the Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Forest Reserve and the Pu‘uanahulu Game Management Area. The Project is named for Nāpu‘upūʻalukinikini, or Nāpuʻu (The hills): the historic name that was used for the ahupua‘a (traditional land management area) of Puʻuwaʻawaʻa and Puʻuanahulu. Visit the Napuʻu Conservation Project page to learn more. 

Three Mountain Alliance 

The Three Mountain Alliance (TMA) is a watershed partnership that was formed in 2007 and encompasses 1,116,300 acres, or 45%, of Hawaiʻi Island. With 11 partners, the overall goal of TMA is to sustain the multiple ecosystem benefits of the three mountains of Kīlauea, Mauna Loa, and Hualālai by being responsible stewards of its watershed areas, native habitats and species, historical, cultural, and socio-economic resources for all who benefit from the continued health of the three mountains. Visit the Three Mountain Alliance page to learn more.

Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance

The Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance (MKWA) partnership boundaries spans over 500,000 acres across the upper elevation Mauna Kea landscape, with partnership lands representing around 2/3 of the total acreage. Our shared vision is to protect and enhance watershed ecosystems, biodiversity and resources through responsible management while promoting economic sustainability and providing recreational, subsistence, educational and research opportunities. Visit the Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance page to learn more.

Honua’ula Draft Management Plan

Honuaʻula Forest Reserve is located directly mauka of Kailua-Kona in the north Kona District of Hawai’i island. The reserve was first established in 1906, moving 665 acres out of pasture lease to protect forested areas. The reserve is now composed of two non-contiguous sections, the smaller Makāula-ʻOʻoma Tract to the north and the larger “main reserve” to the south. Both lay on the mid to upper elevation leeward slopes of Hualālai volcano where mesic to wet ʻōhiʻa & koa forests are the most common land cover. Public comments are being received on our management actions in this area until March 31, 2022.Visit the webpage to view and comment on the draft management plan.