Kaloko Makai Dryland Forest Preserve

HFIA initiated restoration efforts at the Kaloko Makai Dryland Forest Preserve in July 2011. The 154-acre dryland preserve was set aside to offset the impacts of constructing Ane Keohokalole Highway, which will intersect with Hina Lani Street in North Kona. HFIA entered into a four-year contract with Nan Inc., the company contracted to build the highway.  Others involved include the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and landowners Stanford Carr Developments and Lanihau Properties.

A team has been assembled consisting of Peter Simmons, HFIA/HFI; Mike Donoho, Kukui Planning Company; Jill Wagner, Future Forests Nursery; Sally Rice and Derrick Nishimura, Agro Resources; Leonard Bisel, Leonard Bisel Associates, and Heather Simmons, HFIA/HFI.

Best efforts are being used to provide these services with the goal of continued existence of the endangered taxa ‘aiea, uhiuhi, ma‘oloa, and hala pepe and candidate taxa ko‘oko‘olau, per conservation measures developed by the USFWS. In addition to these species, other species, which are listed in the table below, will be planted to create a healthy foundation for the dryland forest, supporting the establishment of the rare plants that will be planted among them.

Since a successful method of propagating and outplanting some of these endangered species is unknown, this is a research project and different methods are being used to help achieve success. All efforts and methods are being documented in order to demonstrate “best efforts” and to increase efficiencies with the goal of continuing the existence of these endangered and candidate taxa.

This is a very special dryland forest site with a diversity of native Hawaiian species including some very rare plants.  The Team identified two outplant locations within the site; one site will be in the old staging area along Hina Lani Street and the second site will be a 1,100 linear trail heading east from to the staging area (See map below).  Outplanting is scheduled be begin in Spring 2012.  As part of the conservation measures, a number of plants will be planted at other dry forest sites such as Pu‘u wa wa Dryland Forest, Ka‘ūpūlehu Dryland Forest, La‘i‘ōpua Dryland Preserve, and Pohakuloa Training Area.