Three KWP ranching partners (Kahua Ranch, Ponoholo Ranch, and Parker Ranch) are working with the State Department of Agriculture to rear these insects in cages, hoping to raise a population in the millions to deal with the 850,000 acre infestation of fireweed on the Big Island.

The public often expresses to me great skepticism about the intentional importation of a new insect to our islands, and their concern is appreciated! In the past, there was little knowledge or understanding of the importance of controlling the spread of new weeds, new insects, or new animals to our islands, and some of our worst invaders were accidentally introduced.

The idea behind biocontrol is to find the “perfect” natural balance for an invasive species. This means sending explorers to places like Madagascar to learn about the natural predators, parasites and diseases that keep a species’ population under control in its home range. The core reason that a non-native species becomes invasive is that it moved to a new location where it had no natural controls on its population. So our goal is to find something like that natural balance here in its new home.

This is the case with this great little caterpillar. It has been undergoing tests for over a decade to make sure it won’t eat anything useful or native to Hawaii. In quarantine, it was offered all kinds of plants as food, and in every case, this little bug won’t touch anything but fireweed and a couple other weeds.

The greatest story I heard about this process is the descriptions of fireweed in its home range in Madagascar.  On that island, you can’t find fields yellow with fireweed like you do here, because the native insects keep its population to a couple yellow clumps in every field – which is the goal for Hawaii, too.

Read more here: http://westhawaiitoday.com/sections/news/local-news/moths-versus-fireweed-state-uses-biological-control-help-protect-pastures

Photo: KWP partners and staff observe the rearing cages for the fireweed biocontrol, a moth named Secusio extensa.

Its great coverage of the watershed initiative, the NARS, and rare plant protection.

Thanks to all those that organized the trip and provided interviews!

“We want people to have the right tree for the right place.”    - Toni McPeek, STN crew leader

KWP’s home base for field operations is the Kamuela State Tree Nursery (STN). State workers have been growing trees in Waimea for more than 50 years, and have met the changing challenges over the years.  From the 60s through the 90s, the philosophy of “grow them fast” prevailed. Exotic trees like eucalyptus, ironwood, ornamental olive, and Cook pines were propagated to quickly replace forests that were decimated by plantations and ranches. It was “against the rules” to grow native species at that time.

The “renaissance” of native plants started in the 1990′s and continues to grow. Currently, tens of thousands of native trees are grown at the STN, for reforestation on both large and small scales. Nursery professionals have fine-tuned the process of propagating natives, from dryland trees to wet forest species.

Read more about the work of our KWP partners in the North Hawaii News story here.

School getting ya down?

 Its never too early to start making summer plans!

Join ʻImi Pono no ka ʻAina this summer to get down and dirty with our native plants and culture.

Interested?  There are a couple ways to apply:

1) Click here to submit an application online

2) Want a paper application?  Click here to print the application .

Please mail completed applications to:

Lahela Camara

19 East Kawili Street

Hilo, HI 96720

 Applications are due: Friday May 11, 2013

Please contact Lahela Camara for more information or to receive an application by mail:

(808) 333.8241

 lahelacamara@gmail.com

On Saturday, November 17th, KWP staff, partners and community volunteers gathered at Ponoholo Ranch, a founding KWP partner, to share a day of work and fun. Joining the KWP staff and a group of veteran volunteers in the field were Pono von Holt, his daughter Sabrina, and ranch employees Chris and Jason.

We started the day with a survey of two native species once thought extinct, but rediscovered  — and now protected —on this land:  the endemic tree snail pūpūkanioe, Partulina physa, and the rare oha wai plant, Clermontia singuliflora. Both snail and tree have found a natural sanctuary here on the windward slopes of Kohala — a place where the cooling mists blanket the valley walls, and tree leaves drip with moisture. The best moment of the morning was when Chris found a baby snail enveloped in the leaves of one of the baby outplanted oha wai ! !

We spent the rest of the morning surveying the upper sections of the Kaneaʻa-Ponoholo Preserve, and controlling kahili ginger. After a quick photo op, we headed back to the ranch to share  a meal and recognize our most dedicated volunteers, who have donated hundreds of hours to the work of KWP over the years.

50 Hour Awards:  John Kloppenborg, Ralph and Gladys Quistorff

75 Hour Award: Jean Bassen

150 Hour Award (Golden Sickle): Christine Ahia

250 Hour Award (Golden Sickle): David Stubbs

CONGRATULATIONS to our partners for their commitment to conservation, to our staff for their hard work, and to our volunteers, who donate their time and enthusiasm to our efforts.

KWA Overall Strategy Mgmt Plan 2012

We planted about 150 koaia trees and 250 a’ali’i shrubs along the stream, and cleared much more lantana.  We also added steps and water bars to places where the trail is eroding significantly.

It was a truly terrific weekend of service.  Two local papers covered the event.  Links below:

North Hawaii News:  http://northhawaiinews.com/news/making-make-a-difference-day-count.html

West Hawaii Today: http://westhawaiitoday.com/sections/news/local-news/restoring-kohala.html

Artwork: “‘Io Portrait” by John Dawson, Winner Hawai’i Nei 2011, Juror’s Choice and 1st Place 2D

Calling Hawaiʻi Island art-enthusiasts!  Youʻve been waiting, or maybe drawing, and hopefully learning a new plant or animal, or maybe even two.  Now it is time to celebrate all that hard work: Hawaiʻi Nei 2012 is here.  We will be accepting artwork on Friday, October 26 from 12pm -7 pm at the Wailoa Arts and Cultural Center in downtown Hilo.  Bring your photos, paintings, sculptures, etc and make this yearʻs Hawaiʻi Nei the biggest in its history.

Opening night will be the following Friday, November 2, 2012.  Weʻll start with a youth reception from 4pm – 5pm with refreshments, music and puppets from Dina Kagelar and, of course, prizes!  The formal reception will follow with refreshments, acoustic Hawaiian music, an awards ceremony, and door prizes.  You donʻt even have to be an artist to be a winner tonight!  So bring the family and friends for a night of celebration with our native species: Hawaiʻi Islands first kamaʻāina!

Photo: Harbor Gallery owner Gunner Mench (R) presents a check to KWP coordinator Melora Purell, and KWP volunteer Robert Elarco at the Kohala Country Fair last weekend.

Gunner and Elli Mench, our friends at Harbor Gallery in Kawaihae, have been supporting KWP with outreach and raising funds for our watershed restoration efforts. Twice a year, Harbor Gallery has a Wood Show in the gallery, featuring local artists, using local woods.  As part of their commitment to the reforestation of the watershed, and in hopes of seeing a change in the water quality of nearby Pelekane Bay, they have been donating 10% of the profits of the wood show to the watershed partnership.  These funds help us grow native plants, and support our volunteer work days at which we plant thousands of native species every year. Their ongoing commitment has reached more than $19,000!

Mahalo, Gunner and Eli, for your generosity and commitment to KWP!