Hawaiian Legacy Forest at Haleiwa Project. Saturday, April 25, 8:30am to noon. 62-394 Joseph Leong Hwy, Unit B, Haleiwa. To sign up, contact Tina Doty at chrstndt7@gmail.com
After a brief introduction and explanation on how to plant, one group may plant, fertilize, and water for an hour while another group may be weeding, clearing, and doing other labor. Another group might be repotting seedlings. They have some supplies like gloves, picks, shovels, etc. and will provide the native Hawaiian plants for planting. Haleiwa Legacy Forest, which was once royal crown lands owned by Princess Kamamalu. You can read more about the background at our website: https://legacyforest.org/haleiwa Haleiwa Legacy Forest was founded in 2022, and the initial project involves approximately 400 acres that we intend to reforest with native and endemic Hawaiian trees and plants.
The Rotarians have planted at Haleiwa in July and September 2023. The Rotarians have contributed to Hawaii and our community by continuing to help restore our native ecosystem. Planting native Hawaiian trees helps recharge our watersheds, which, in turn, protects our oceans, prevent runoff that damages our reefs, provide native habitat for some of Hawaii’s rarest birds, and become a living resource for the Hawaiian culture and local community. This will be home to up to 150,000 newly planted native and endemic Legacy Trees, making it the largest managed endemic Hawaiian forest on Oahu.
Originally royal crown lands owned by Princess Victoria Kamamalu, heir to the throne of the Hawaiian Kingdom, this reforestation effort underscores our commitment to responsible operations that honor the historical, cultural, and environmental importance of these lands. It is so fitting to honor her legacy by returning this historic area to permanent endemic Hawaiian forest,” said Justin Alexander, partner, Pomaika’i.
The initial project will span approximately 400 acres of land and will be home to up to 150,000 newly planted native and endemic Legacy Trees, making it the largest managed endemic Hawaiian forest on Oahu. “These trees will be part of a permanently managed native ecosystem that will never be clearcut. This forest will enhance our watershed, prevent runoff that damages our reefs, provide native habitat for some of Hawaii’s rarest birds, and become a living resource for the Hawaiian culture and local community,” said Francis Wong, Board Chair, HLRI. “The Hawaiian Legacy Forest at Haleiwa is an integral component of an agricultural, ecological and cultural collaboration by Laukiha’a Farms that will not only restore the land but serve as a world class example of how agroforestry can sustain both the community and the environment,” said Denise Albano, Project Director.
HLRI is dedicating a team of trained foresters to clear the land of invasive plant species such as strawberry guava, ginger, and other major ecological threats to Hawaii’s native forests. Replanting will include endemic koa, kou, milo, ‘ōhi‘a, naio, and ‘iliahi trees, as well as endemic understory species planted over a contiguous mix of forest, streambeds, and cliffsides. Trees will be planted with the help of community volunteers, ecotourism, and online Legacy Tree sponsorships. In partnership with Legacy Carbon LLC, the Hawaiian Legacy Forest at Haleiwa will also hold the distinction of being part of the only certified carbon offset program anywhere in Hawaii and the only international Gold Standard certified carbon project in North America.