January 19, 2015—Aloha and Happy New Year, wonderful volunteers! Please join us on Martin Luther King Day for a day of invasive weed control in the wet forest of Kohala.
Our target? Himalayan (formerly called “kahili”) ginger. This plant has the capacity to displace Kohala’s native forest over time. Its rhizomes monopolize the forest floor, and its leaves block sunlight to the native mosses and ferns. This alters not only native biodiversity, but also the movement of water in the ecosystem. Currently, Himalayan ginger dominates many thousands of acres of watershed forest, and like most invasive plants in Hawai‘i, its spread is uncontrolled by pests, predation, or disease.
So what is KWP doing about it? We have designated special areas on the mountain where our partners think it is possible to beat back the invasion and let the native forest dominate and thrive. Pu‘u Pili at Kahua Ranch is one of those places, and we’ve cleared nearly 30 acres so far.
On this volunteer day, you will be instructed in The Ninja Way, following the Three Deadly Steps: Slice, Stack, Spray. Please bring along rain gear (essential!), warm clothes, boots or sturdy shoes that can get muddy, long pants and long-sleeved shirt. Pack your lunch and water bottle in a backpack, and get ready for a wet day in the inspiring wilderness of Kohala Mountain. Did I mention that it’s going to be WET? Please be prepared! (Veteran volunteers even suggest bringing along a dry change of clothes for the drive home.)
Meet at The Kohala Center office (65-1291A Kawaihae Rd) in Waimea at 8:30, and we will carpool in the KWP 4×4 vehicles. We will return to Waimea by 3:30 p.m. Because this trip has limited seats, please click here to RSVP only if you are prepared to join us rain or shine!
