Jan-Mar 2025 Winter Update

Aloha,

We wouldn’t be able to take care of the watershed without our many volunteers and partners.

Here are some of the groups who gave their time in the last few months helping to protect our forests:

Group of people planting or working in a garden or field on a sunny day, with some wearing hats and gloves, near a small wooden stage or platform.

Seabury Hall

An energetic group of 23 students from Seabury Hall spent two days of their winter break learning about the watershed. They worked hard removing invasive grasses and planting ‘A‘ali‘i. We also planted thoughts about a conservation career in their minds. We hope that some will be inspired to sign up for a conservation internship or study conservation in college.

A close-up of a black bee collecting pollen from a bright yellow flower.

Yellow-Faced Bee Survey

Experts from the Bishop Museum and Hawaii DLNR joined our crew last month to perform a survey of yellow-faced bees. These bees are native to and found only in Hawaii. Seven of the species are protected on the endangered species list. They are important pollinators and play a crucial role in the health of our forests. In the photo, you can see the specks of yellow pollen all over the bee.

Group of diverse people standing behind a fence in a dense jungle, posing for a photo during an outdoor expedition, some making hand gestures and smiling.

The Oahu Army Natural Resources Program is doing amazing work reforesting on Mt Ka‘ala and protecting 90 endangered species.

In March, they sent a team to Maui for a service week and we are grateful for the work they did and knowledge they shared.

The Nature Conservancy has been a long-time partner. Back in 1988, they helped to create the Pu‘u Kukui watershed preserve and they hold the conservation easement. We appreciate the guidance provided by their conservation team and scientists.

Young green seedlings in small black pots with water droplets on their leaves, in a nursery setting.

Wiliwili Seedlings

Maui Native Nursery is one of our most important partners and experts at growing native Hawaiian plants. We collect seeds and they know all the tricks and techniques to turn them into seedlings for planting. In the photo, there are 50 Wiliwili seedlings we’ll be planting in Honolua in May.

Two people standing in a lush, green forest planting small plants in the soil. One is a woman wearing sunglasses, a hat, camo jacket, and rubber boots, and the other is a man in a blue T-shirt, beige pants, and flip-flops, holding a larger plant and smiling.

The UH Maui Water Resources class got a hands-on introduction to the ‘auwai and lo‘i along Honolua Stream.

We also want to mahalo Nordic PCL and the Kupu interns who came out for a service day at Honolua.

There were many more volunteers that I haven’t mentioned. Mahalo! We couldn’t do it without you.

What would you like to read about in our next newsletter? Send me an email (john@AlohaPuuKukui.org) with your ideas or suggestions.

-John Meier, President, Aloha Pu‘u Kukui

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