While the beaches and mountains have starring roles in Hawai`i Island’s unique landscape, the drier, lower elevations play host to dozens of endemic flora species — many of which have important cultural ties — including the iconic wiliwili tree.
Once common in the dry forest areas surrounding Waikoloa Village a few miles mauka from Waikoloa Beach Resort, much of the land on which the native flora thrived became degraded over time by invasive plants, fire and feral ungulates (wild hooved animals such as goats and pigs) which ate the trees’ bark and leaves.
PRESERVE, PROTECT AND RESTORE
In 2011, a group of concerned Waikoloa residents formed the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative (WDFI) with a mission to “protect, promote and restore the native Hawaiian dry forest.”
They procured a 75-year lease on 275 acres just southwest of Waikoloa Village from the Waikoloa Village Association to create a sanctuary where the wiliwili trees and other dry forest species — including Ko`oloa`ula, kolomona, `ōhai, `a`ali`i and pua kala, whose bright flowers dot the landscape — could be protected and restored.
Over the past 15 years Waikōloa Dry Forest has become an important sanctuary for these native plants, with consistent efforts by volunteers in native seeding and forest restoration.
“Wiliwili trees were populous on the island at one time, but about half of the entire population died off over the past century in Waikoloa and continued to do so in recent years,” says Jen Lawson, executive director of WDFI. “We had a big undertaking to begin restoring the wiliwili and other native species on the land. Volunteers have been instrumental.”
Recently, the Waikōloa Dry Forest expanded to nearly 400 acres of land, collectively owned by the community.
“We’ve completed fencing and are now preparing the restoration project. It is along Waikoloa Road, so people will be able to see it,” Lawson shares.
EDUCATING FUTURE GENERATIONS
Educational programs abound in the forest. Locals, visitors, families and groups can sign up for Waikōloa Dry Forest field trips, Mālama `Āina volunteer days, guided First Friday Huaka`i guided tours and the Biocultural Talk Series — Stories of Place.
“There are people in the forest almost every day of the week. We want people to feel like it’s their forest,” Lawson says.
Fourth and fifth graders participate in WDFI’s Future Foresters after-school program, and a variety of summer camps are available for elementary and middle-schoolers.
“We interact with all the schools, and our Future Foresters Program brings kids in after school four days a week,” Lawson says. “Our education programs have really grown in the past few years. The kids become connected to the place they live. That’s why we do it. The classes now incorporate more culture, history and story along with the science and conservation.”
Lawson reports that not only do the kids get excited, but they take the knowledge they gain at the dry forest home and share it on a family and community-wide basis.
In addition to biodiversity, “The wiliwili tree was significant in Hawaiian culture, so it’s important that it survives,” Lawson says. “The wiliwili tree is super light and was used in making the ama (float) on outrigger canoes and surfboards.”
PROTECTING THE LAND
Wildfire is a leading threat to native ecosystems, including the Waikōloa Dry Forest and the areas that surround it. Causes range from fireworks to accidental roadside ignitions to campfires. Over the past few years WDFI volunteers have become leaders in broader wildfire mitigation efforts.
“After the Lahaina fires, we became more involved in the fire break efforts and working to prevent them,” Lawson explains. “We try to support firefighters and the department. When the last fire approached, our fire break was part of what stopped it. We also built a water tank.” Though the task of restoring the dry forests of Waikoloa is a big one, Lawson is optimistic. “It’s working after 15 years of restoration. The landscape has really changed,” she says. “It’s a thriving ecosystem cared for by the community.”
With positive examples like Lawson and the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative leading the way and educating the next generation of community leaders, Hawai`i’s endemic species are hopefully on the path to a bright future.
SPOTLIGHT
TEEING OFF FROM THE KINGS’ SHOPS
Here’s a new space to play golf along the Kohala Coast, and both residents and visitors are discovering just how much fun it is. Sprawled across 3,000 square feet of indoor space, Virtual Golf `Ohana is the newest addition to the Kings’ Shops. Here, golfers can test their swings on two Golfzon simulators and a putting green while companions observe from a comfortable lounge. Virtual Golf ‘Ohana caters to hardcore players, those new to the game and everyone in between.
It’s a great option for families, teens, and children too. “Our goal is to bring people together to practice, compete or connect,” explain owners Michael and Sally Paris, who toyed with the idea of opening the store after looking for a simulator for their garage. Golfers can select from more than 300 courses around the world to play virtually, complete with moving floors to recreate real-world slopes and breaks, an auto-tee, and a ball retrieval system. Golfzon also provides swing analysis, launch data, and video feedback for golfers who want to improve their game. “The simulator provides real-time feedback on every shot,” explains Michael. “There’s also anapp that captures your form, swing and stance soyou can compare one swing to the next.”
The putting system, Puttview, has a variety of drills as well as putting games for children. “We thought of this as a way to give back to the community and grow the game of golf,” Michael shares. “One of our focuses is to helpraise money for local causes, specifically juniorgolfers at schools.”The facility can also be reserved for local events, parties, youth programs and fundraisers. Clubs are included in the cost of booking a simulator, or players can bring their own. Accessories and apparel are also available.