Canopy Chronicles – October 2024

October brings a special kind of magic to Aloha Tree Alliance as we celebrate the start of our 2024-25 planting season! With fresh goals, vibrant seedlings, terrific volunteers and a continued dedication to improving Hawai‘i’s watersheds, we’re ready to dive into another season of transformation and growth. Throughout the next eight months of this planting season, we’ll gather to plant 300 native trees and shrubs each month, nurture even more, and connect with the land that continues to sustain us. Mahalo to everyone for helping us make a lasting impact in the Kuli‘ou‘ou watershed. We look forward to many more great work days together!

From Grassroots to Government

Propelling into Planting Season

Over 60 volunteers—both familiar faces and new friends—kicked off Aloha Tree Alliance’s fourth planting season this October with a vibrant celebration of community spirit and dedication! The volunteers united to clear a new kīpuka, plant 101 native plants, and nurture our existing restoration sites with much-needed watering.

Among our volunteers were three school groups: students from Kaiser High School’s Interact Club, middle schoolers from Hālau Kū Māna (who uplifted us with their beautiful voices through a Mahalo Oli at the day’s end), and Roosevelt High School’s Green Horizons club, led by Leo Tokumi, an Eagle Scout who completed his project requirements with ATA earlier this year.

Hats off to this energetic group, who filled and distributed a hefty collection of water jugs.With such a strong start, we’re excited for the season ahead. Mahalo nui loa to everyone who came out to support!

Groundbreaking News at the ATA Nursery!

While Hawai‘i may not flaunt the fiery fall colors of other places, this autumn season brings transformation to ATA’s restoration work in its own way. A once-bare plot in Kamilo Nui Valley now hums with activity: debris clearing, concrete pouring, and gravelling worksites have all laid the foundation for ATA’s Native Hawaiian Plant Nursery. With the shadehouse structure making its way to O‘ahu, it won’t be long before this space comes alive with thousands of seedlings, poised to take root and thrive along the Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail. Change is in the air, and it’s just the beginning. Stay tuned!

Sharing ‘Ike with Our Elected Officials

A new ring of Koa trees is beginning its legacy on the Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail, with one planted by none other than U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono. This fall, ATA had the privilege of showcasing its restoration work to some of Hawaii’s more influential leaders. From local to national changemakers, visitors like U.S. Senator Hirono, Hawai‘i State Representatives Linda Ichiyama, Mark Jun Hashem, and their colleagues from the Water and Land Committee were introduced to the thriving restoration sites on the KRT, viewing firsthand how collaborative mauka-to-makai watershed management is rejuvenating this cherished landscape.

Senator Hirono and her staff were joined by representatives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Mālama Maunalua (MM), and ATA. Together, the groups planted Koa in an affirmation of the coastal partnership that unites them.

A few weeks later, Representative Ichiyama and her team joined ATA and Protect and Preserve Hawai‘i staff for a restoration site tour at the Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail, followed by an engaging limu huki (seaweed pull) with MM and a tour of Kānewai Spring with the Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center. Through these visits, ATA grows meaningful relationships with many individuals and groups who share the goal of building a better Hawai‘i.

Mahalo to Representatives Ichiyama and Hashem for spearheading the ridge-to-reef tour, and to MM for elevating ATA’s work and for being a powerhouse organization in the Maunalua area!

Coqui Frogs Threaten Kuli‘ou‘ou Valley

Another invasive creature is breaking its silence. Last month, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR-DOFAW) announced that coqui frogs (Eleutherodactylus coqui) have established a population at the summit of Kuli‘ou‘ou Valley. Coqui frogs cause ecological devastation in Hawai‘i by consuming native snails and insects, many of which are already on the brink of extinction.

These impacts might seem irrelevant to the average person… until the sun sets and the coqui cacophony begins. According to the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC), the volume of a coqui call can measure up to 95 decibels. For comparison, an average conversation takes place at 60 decibels, while noise above 70 decibels is considered harmful to one’s hearing (National Council on Aging, 2024). Should these frogs take over, a quiet slumber will be hard to come by. In fact, coqui infestations on the Big Island have resulted in lower property values due to decreased quality of life.

“Besides the ecological impacts, there are a lot of cultural impacts with invasive species. The sound of the wind in that area, which is called Pu’uokona [and] the sound of the rain, Naulu, will be erased if coqui frogs persist in Kuli‘ou‘ou. It is part of what makes Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i.”

– Ryan Chang, DOFAW field technician, in an interview with Hawaii Public Radio.

Containment efforts are underway to prevent the spread of this infestation down Kuli‘ou‘ou Valley. DOFAW has begun sending drones equipped with a citric acid dilution to spray other frog-infested sites in Waimānalo. Citric acid, according to DOFAW, is lethal to frogs but does not cause serious or lasting injury to insects, birds, or people. DOFAW has also begun engaging the community through volunteer frog capture events. The sign-up form is linked here, but please note that volunteer capacity is limited based on staff availability.

If you suspect that you’ve heard coqui frogs, please report the observation to the O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee. More detailed information can be found at https://www.oahuisc.org/species/coqui-frog/.

This Corner of the Forest

Biodiversity: a Botanical Melting Pot

Trees may dominate the scenery of ATA’s restoration kīpuka, but their importance must not overshadow the other biodiverse plant species working hard to stabilize soil, produce oxygen, and sequester carbon. Biodiversity is the variety of all life in a given habitat, and it denotes the breadth of ecosystem services–pollination, water purification, oxygen production, and nutrient cycling, and more–that are performed by those organisms. “Biodiversity is an essential part of ecosystem resilience because it allows the ecosystem to adapt to changing climates, disease, and to preserve essential symbioses,” said ATA Field & Nursery Manager Eli Livezey. ATA fosters biodiversity by planting more than 15 species of native trees, shrubs, and groundcover in Kuli‘ou‘ou Valley. In restoring plant biodiversity, ATA hopes to increase the diversity of insects, fungi, and other key players in the ecosystem – some of which depend on a single native plant species for survival.

ATA understands that every plant in the ecosystem—from a towering Koa to a sprawling Ilie‘e—plays a unique role. Together, they thrive in a biodiverse environment, supporting each other and strengthening the forest.

119 Years of Green

Did you know a tree planted on Hawai‘i’s first Arbor Day still graces Mānoa with its shade? Since Arbor Day officially came to the Territory of Hawaii in 1905, it has sparked a statewide tradition of planting trees and celebrating their vital role in our lives. Originally, Arbor Day was founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872 with a mission to plant one million trees in Nebraska and combat deforestation.

While National Arbor Day falls on the first Friday in April, Hawaii celebrates in November to align with the rainy season, the ideal time for planting. Join Aloha Tree Alliance on Friday, November 1st for our Aloha Friday Watering event to nurture new seedlings and existing trees and shrubs on the Kuli`ou`ou Ridge Trail. Then, on Arbor Day itself– November 2nd–participate in tree giveaways and other fun events sponsored by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program to support our forests and make a lasting impact on Hawaii’s future!

Click the button below to see the DLNR’s list of Arbor Day events!

Learn more

Trees on the Trail: Milo

Easily identified by its heart-shaped leaves, Milo is a common sight in restoration sites on the Kuliʻouʻou Ridge Trail. Though its status as a native plant or canoe plant is disputed, Milo is a significant plant in Hawaiian culture. In Hawaiian, “Milo” means to twist or curl. Its flowers, which bloom year-round but last just one day, were traditionally crafted into cherished lei. Visually, the flowers of the Milo tree change color throughout the day from yellow to orange. Adored by royals, these vibrant trees were wrapped around the home of Kamehameha I in Waikīkī. During the Hawaiian monarchy, only the elite were allowed to grow Milo.

This tree was and continues to be esteemed for its many uses. During World War II, Milo was one of the few plants acknowledged as an emergency food source in a manual called, “Emergency Food Plants and Poisonous Plants of the Islands of the Pacific.” Their young leaves and flower buds were found to be edible, while other parts of the tree are considered to be mildly poisonous. Its inner bark provided essential fiber, the outer bark was fashioned into cordage, and its fruits yielded an exquisite yellow-green dye.

Energetic Environmentalists Hit the Trail

Hālau Kū Māna 8th Graders Open a New Kīpuka

Hālau Ku Māna, a charter school nestled in Makiki Valley, offers a unique curriculum to their students, centering learning around “meaningful and regenerative community projects across the pae ʻāina (archipelago).” ATA is grateful to have been one of these community projects for Hālau Ku Māna’s eighth grade class, thanks to our friend Winona Farias from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Outreach Program. 16 enthusiastic students joined ATA at Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail in October to help clear invasive species and prepare a new kīpuka for our planting season.

Their enthusiasm was contagious, and some students returned to volunteer during our community work day, deepening their connection to the land. We’re excited to welcome Hālau Ku Māna back to the trail again later this school year when the students will experience the other side of restoration work—planting in the new kīpuka they helped create!

‘Iolani Leo Club Covers New Ground

October 26 was a day of discovery, connection, and growth for 18 enthusiastic students from ‘Iolani School’s Leo Club, who along with their advisor joined ATA’s team for a morning of planting native Ilie‘e on the Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail. Already seasoned coastal stewards with Mālama Maunalua, the students explored a new side of conservation– learning about the importance of forest restoration in creating healthier ecosystems, from mauka to makai!

Meet Josie Camacho, ATA’s First Research Intern!

This planting season, Aloha Tree Alliance proudly welcomes Josie Camacho as our inaugural intern, joining us from October to April! A senior at Mililani High School, Josie chose ATA’s Kuli‘ou‘ou Ridge Trail for her AP Research Project, aligning perfectly with ATA’s mission to educate and inspire young conservationists. Her research will explore conservation and human-nature relationships, helping ATA assess restoration impacts in selected kīpuka along the trail during the 2024–2025 planting season. We’re excited to collaborate with Josie on this meaningful research and grateful for the chance to engage with passionate students dedicated to fostering a greener future for Hawai‘i.

What’s next for ATA

Close the Year with Time on the Trail!

Our mission is made possible by the dedication and heart of volunteers like you. We anticipate planting 600 native plants before the end of 2024, so we hope to see you on the trail again soon! Here are our remaining events for the year:

Friday, 11/1 – Aloha Watering

Friday, 11/8 – Aloha Watering

Saturday, 11/16 – Community Workday/Tree Planting

Friday, 11/22 – Aloha Watering

Friday, 11/29 – Aloha Watering

Tuesday, December 3rd — Giving Tuesday

Friday, 12/6 – Aloha Watering

Friday, 12/13 – Aloha Watering

Saturday, 12/14 – Community Workday/Tree Planting

If you have any gallon water jugs (Menehune preferred, but all are welcome!), please bring them with you to the trail!

Volunteer with us!

The Gift that Keeps on Growing

Giving Tuesday is on December 3rd! Please consider donating to Aloha Tree Alliance; every donation is a blessing for the trees we plant, the land we steward, and the communities that we meet. If you would like to donate, please click on the button below. Mahalo nui loa for your continued support.

Donate here!

Partnerships in Sustainability

Just as the different elements of an ecosystem are interconnected with each other, our community’s various sustainability efforts must be as well. Aloha Tree Alliance operates knowing that collaboration is the foundation of a sustainable future. We are so grateful for all of our partner organizations and their respective missions, commitment to the vitality of our planet, and desire to work as a community.

ATA would like to express sincere appreciation to The Coconut Traveler, Xylem, The Garden Club of Honolulu, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for their financial support. These grantors have enabled ATA to fund its growth in education capacity, restoration progress, and personnel. Furthermore, by expressing their support, these grantors have magnified the reach of ATA’s mission.