Planning

There are tons of activities and projects that are in the works to realize the goal of restoring the Hamakualoa Open Space to its traditional way. This page will outline what those projects are, where each is within the Preserve, and the approximate timeline. If you are interested in helping, please check out our page on partners. Our maps may also help provide more context about each project.

• Cleanup. This is an ongoing task we all do.
• Invasive species removal. This can range from weeds, to African Tulips, to coqui frogs.
• Propagating native species. This can be a home task for some volunteers – we need to propagate 100’s of plant keiki to prep them for planting.
• Planting native species. Organizing where to best plant natives and getting them into the ground.
• Tending to plantings. Watering and weeding, mostly.
• Construction. Traditional hales will be added in a couple of areas. They will have catchment systems for helping with the task of irrigation.
• Community Garden. Fruits and vegetables by and for the community.
• Trails. Restoring some traditional paths.
• Signs. Public information signs, warnings in certain areas, educational signs, and trail/road markers.
• Monitoring and security. Keep an eye on any dumping activities or storm damage.
• Public outreach. Working with partners, schools, volunteers to get the community involved in the Hamakualoa project.

Currently identified project areas are these. See the map for exact locations

• Gathering Area. This sometimes shows up as “Base Yard” on our maps. This is an 8 acre, largely flat space just off the entrance on Hahana Rd.
• Upper Konanui Gulch, also called the “old farm”. It is about 1 acre in size and is next to the stream bed of the Konanui Gulch.
• Lower Konanui Gulch. The last half mile or so of Konanui gulch, ending at Step Ladders, a traditional fishing spot. In Lot 1.
• Old summer camp. This is in Lot 5.
• Lower Kuiaha Gulch. The old farm road crosses the stream bed here and leads to the old fishing camp at the termination of the stream. Lot 4.

As of 2023, we have planted about 1/2 acre of mostly native trees in the Gathering Area. We hope to add another two acres of native trees and shrubs in late 2023 and early 2024. This will be adjacent to the previous plantings. The long term goal is to reforest about half of the Gathering Area.

Trees and shrubs that we have planted, and will continue to plant are:

• Koa
• ‘Ohi’a lehua
• Kukui nut
• Milo
• Plumeria
• A’ali’i
• Kokio (hibiscus)
• ‘Akia

Plot plan for Lot 1 which is about 1/3 of the Hamakualoa Open Space Preserve. See the larger map below for the full Open Space map. The Gathering Areas, shown on the map, is our focus for 2023.

Map with a satellite image overlay of the entire Hamakualoa Open Space Preserve. It consists of Lots 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Lot 2 is privately owned.