![]() ![]() This is essential if our island is to have the rainfall and watershed needed to supply communities at lower elevations. It is the goal of residents of Kaloko Mauka to set an example of living in harmony with the forest and still having homes and some “forest friendly” agriculture activities. Kaloko Mauka has been identified as essential wildlife habitat and forest watershed. Kaloko Mauka is the home of the Hawaiian hawk, apapane, iiwi, elepaio, amakihi and many other endemic and exotic birds. ![]() They are administered through the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Forestry Division, Hawaii Island Land Trust and Moku O Keawe Land Conservancy. These programs allow residents to dedicate and manage their properties to enhance this important and unique watershed. The native forest contains many rare and endangered species that local residents are committed to protect. These ferns may be over 100 years old since the trunks only grow 2 to 3 inches per year. The area abounds with ancient ohia ( Meterosideros polymorpha) and gigantic tree ferns, some of which are 10 feet or more in height. Much of Kaloko Mauka is still covered with native forest and is unique cloud forest. Information on how to apply for agriculture and conservation dedications may be obtained from the Hawaii County tax office. The county is also requiring a forest management plan and is allowing owners to dedicate to native forest or tree crops, thus reducing the tax burden. However, county planners are making an effort to encourage developers and landowners to protect the forest by placing requirements that the lots remain in forest. It, among other high elevation areas of Hawaii, is being developed for agriculture and residential activities. This is one of the most accessible native forests in West Hawaii. One exception is the 2,000-acre Kaloko Mauka subdivision adjacent to the O’oma Forest Reserve. In West Hawaii, the same situation occurs with private lands being subdivided and cleared. Unless the owners of the land really commit to protecting the forested lots, they are bulldozed and flattened. Other forested areas are being lost to expanding urbanization. In East and West Hawaii, many ohia forest areas are suffering from the fungus disease referred to as rapid ohia death. Not much can be done to stop foreign governments from forest destruction, but we can do a lot to protect and plant forests here. Many of Hawaii’s forests and forest watersheds are threatened. Scientists have shown that approximately 25% of atmospheric carbon dioxide is sequestered by forests each year, so the more forests we plant, the more we reduce the effects of global warming. ![]() Trees not only produce oxygen, they supply shade, act as windbreaks and lock up the carbon that is the main cause of global warming. Just think - if each one of us on the Big Island plant only 10 trees this year, we will have planted more than one million trees. We may not be able to do much about other parts of the world, but here at home we are either part of the solution or part of the problem. This will affect our islands by causing more extremes like drought, floods and severe storms. ![]() Global warming is no longer a theory, and is being accepted as fact by most scientists and governments. It is related to ohia, so the flowers also attract our native honeycreepers. It is native to the rainforests of the Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea. Of more than 500 species of eucalyptus, this is the only one found growing naturally north of the equator. Thanks to Kelly Dunn and his Painted Trees of Hawaii, these beautiful trees are being protected on our island. One example is the painted eucalyptus, Eucalyptus deglupta, sometimes called rainbow eucalyptus or camouflage tree, is a sight to behold. There are many other trees with interesting bark, especially in the ohia family that includes guava, eucalyptus, allspice and mountain apple. If you are interested in obtaining cuttings you may email Tone at to get starts. Nurseries here do not have the tree, but there are three small trees growing in a local West Hawaii garden. It has many medicinal uses and has been valued by indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, Central and South America for centuries. ![]()
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