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Leeward Haleakalā
Uhiwai logo

Uhiwai O Haleakalā

History & Mission

Uhiwai O Haleakalā’s founding Board, Andrea Buckman, Keahi Bustamante, Kaliko Spenser and January Asbury, were all inspired by the reforestation at Auwahi, ‘Ulupalakua Ranch, Maui. They have contributed to conservation from different angles from mauka to makai for over 15 years. These friends and colleagues recognized the discrepancies in funding, effective collaboration, community and cultural inclusion, and on-the-ground efficacy of the frameworks that existed at the time. 

In 2018, Uhiwai O Haleakalā was formed to fill the gaps in funding, expand outreach capacity and offer flexibility in addressing the dynamic environmental and programmatic needs that arise when working within dynamic landscapes, diverse landowners, and evolving community and environmental needs. 
 
Without the inspiration afforded by the leadership at Auwahi, the Leeward Haleakalā Watershed Restoration Partnership, University of Hawai’i, the inclusion of diverse community groups including cultural practitioners, hunters, scientists and volunteers, this organization would not have been added to Maui’s repertoire of organizations. The spirit of collaboration that makes us leaders in affecting on-the-ground change while honoring the need for continuous innovation, partnerships, and advancement as the effect of climate change and the number of perils impacting the resilience and integrity of Hawai’i’s community, biodiversity, economy and culture.

Our mission at Uhiwai is dedicated to protecting and restoring the native ecosystems and watersheds of the leeward slopes of Haleakalā. We set out to help improve the quality and quantity of the freshwater resources. Preserving these areas allow us to perpetuate Hawaiian cultural resources and practices, support rural economic opportunities and engage the Maui community in our efforts.

View of leeward Haleakalā
View of leeward Haleakalā
Uhiwai mist being captured by ʻohiʻa lehua
Uhiwai mist being captured by ‘Ōhi’a lehua
Leeward Haleakalā
Leeward Haleakalā

Click any image to view in a slideshow.

Partners

  • Leeward Haleakalā Watershed Restoration Partnership
  • ‘Ulupalakua Ranch
  • Haleakalā National Park
  • Kaonoulu Ranch
  • Nu`u Mauka Ranch
  • Thompson Ranch
  • Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands
  • Dept. of Land & Natural Resources

Supporting Partners

  • Maui County Office of Economic Development
  • Waiohuli Mana Foundation
  • Hawai’i Agricultural Research Center
  • Hawai’i Wildfire Management Organization
  • Ka ‘Ohana O Kahikinui
  • Laurence H. Dorcy Hawaiian Foundation
  • Earth Fund Maui
  • Hawaii Community Foundation
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service and many others

Our Logo

Uhiwai is the heavy mist that settles on the slopes of the mountain at 4,000-6,000 feet elevation,offering fresh water to the forest and people of the region.

Uhiwai logo

Management Priorities

Today, less than 5% of native habitat remains on the slopes of Leeward Haleakalā. To reverse this trend of dramatic habitat loss, we implement the following practices at each site, in addition to techniques tailored to each site and landowner’s unique needs and goals. Our top priorities are:

Native Seed Collection
Seeds are collected from each region and reintroduced into the ecosystem, increasing biodiversity, resilience, and perpetuating Hawaiian cultural practice.

Native Species Outplanting
Planting native species and diversifying the watershed forest enhances watershed function enabling it to better capture, transport and store precious water.

Invasive Species Control 
Uhiwai focuses primarily on ground sweeps and control of species identified as the greatest threat to restoration efforts specific to each management unit. 

Maintaining Ungulate Free Units
Our staff inspects and maintains boundary fences, internal units, stream crossings, and access points to ensure management units remain ungulate free.

Community Outreach and Education
Include community, students, visitors, volunteers and emerging professionals in hands-on experiential learning through seedball making, workshops, and presentations. 

Walking fenceline at Kahikinui
Walking fenceline at Kahikinui
Wiliwili seeds from Nu'u
Wiliwili seeds from Nu’u
Maintaining Ungulate Free Units
Maintaining Ungulate Free Units
Community Outreach
Community Outreach

Click any image to view in a slideshow.

Ecosystem Highlights

  • Current lack of Rapid ‘Ō’hia Death (ROD)
  • Unique native species found nowhere else on the planet
  • Tremendous potential for landscape-level restoration demonstrated by LHWRP projects
  • Reintroduction of Endangered forest birds
  • Vision and collaboration of public and private landowners and supporting partners
Current lack of Rapid ‘O’hia Death (ROD)
Current lack of Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death (ROD)
Unique native species Silversword
Unique native species such as the Silversword (‘ahinahina)
Vision and collaboration of public and private landowners and supporting partners
Vision and collaboration of public and private landowners and supporting partners
Reintroduction of Endangered forest birds Parrotbill Bird
Reintroduction of Endangered forest birds Parrotbill Bird

Click any image to view in a slideshow.

Top Threats

  • Invasive Animals (Cattle, Deer, Goats and Pigs; rodents) 
  • Invasive Plants (Non-native grasses, pines, silk oak, Bocconia, gorse, Australian Tree Fern, Christmas berry, wattle)
  • Wildfire 
  • Erosion 
  • Climate Change Impacts (severe storms, drought)
  • ʻRapid Ōhiʻa Death
Axis Deer
Axis Deer
Wild Cattle
Wild Cattle
Bocconia
Bocconia
Erosion of mud at Kahikinui
Erosion of mud at Kahikinui
Silk Oak and Lantana
Silk Oak and Lantana

Click any image to view in a slideshow.

Uhiwai Area

Coming Soon!

How You Can Help

Mālama ‘āina is a Hawaiian concept of respecting and interacting with native ecosystems through conservation practices that enable the land and sea to sustain life. Being a hoa ‘āina (friend of the land) is crucial for nonprofit longevity and success. Our seasonal opportunities come in many forms: from seed collection, to corporate tree planting events, to pro-bono professionals working on specific projects.  If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the hands-on work that our restoration efforts require, please visit www.uhiwai.org/volunteer.

Volunteers at Uhiwai

News, Updates, Job/Volunteer Openings:

To keep a pulse on our presence at community events and future volunteer opportunities, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Gallery

Field crew doing fence repairs in Kahikinui
Field crew doing fence repairs in Kahikinui
Outreach Team at Hoomau
Outreach Team at Ho’omau
Sling loads in Kahikinui
Sling loads in Kahikinui
Current Lack of Rapid 'Ōhi'a Death
Current Lack of Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death
Uhiwai collecting native seeds
Uhiwai collecting native seeds
Uhiwai team at Waiohuli
Uhiwai team at Waiohuli
View of leeward Haleakalā
View of leeward Haleakalā
Volunteers from Mount Maunganui College of Aotearoaat,helping plant native understory plants at Waiohuli, Kula
Volunteers from Mount Maunganui College of Aotearoa, helping plant native understory plants at Waiohuli, Kula.
Wiliwili Seeds
Wiliwili Seeds

Click any image to view in a slideshow.

Resources:

  • Uhiwai O Haleakalā: www.uhiwai.org
  • Leeward Haleakalā Watershed Restoration Project: www.lhwrp.org

Contact Information

Andrea Buckman
Executive Director
Uhiwai O Haleakalā
andrea@uhiwai.org
808-573-8989
PO Box 1056, Makawao, HI 96768

Social Media

Facebook: UhiwaiOHaleakala
Instagram: Uhiwai_o_haleakala
LinkedIn: Uhiwai-o-haleakalā

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