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1. Rain Follows the Forest: Hahai no ka ua i ka ululā'au

The Rain Follows the Forest seeks to ensure mauka watersheds are fully functioning so fresh water resources can be utilized and enjoyed by the people of Hawai'i in perpetuity. This plan implements the central goals of the Abercrombie administration's A New Day in Hawaii plan to steward the natural resources that our survival, economy, and quality of life depend on.

The affordability and availability of Hawaii's water depends on the health of native forests, which absorb and increase groundwater supply by up to 50%. Protecting mauka forest areas is the most cost effective and efficient way to absorb rainwater and replenish groundwater. In addition to protecting our water supply, the protection of forests is essential to prevent erosion that muddies beaches, coral reefs, and fisheries, reduce Hawaii's greenhouse gas emissions, and protect the native plants and animals unique to our islands.

However, over half of Hawaii's forests have been lost in the last 200 years. Without protection, forest degradation continues to accelerate. The longer Hawai'i waits to take significant action, the higher the cost will be to reverse the damage, thereby threatening water supplies for future generations.

What makes it bright?

• Ambitious goal to double the number of acres of watershed forest being protected over the next decade.
• High-level support
• Projected local job creation and retention to protect of over 15,000 new acres of priority watershed forests and buffering areas and maintain of over 160,000 acres.

" We are the stewards of paradise, and I am confident that if we move forward together on the plans that are proposed in this initiative, we will succeed in meeting our obligations and responsibilities." – Governor Neil Abercrombie

Key contact
Emma Yuen, Natural Area Reserves System Planner, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Land and Natural Resources, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Learn More: website

2. Kamehameha Schools: Natural Resources Management Plan

I Hawaiʻi nō nā Hawaiʻi i ka 'āina.
The health and well-being of ka po'e Hawai'i are intimately connected to the continued existence and functioning of native ecosystems.

1. Know Our Lands. Collect baseline knowledge of natural resources integrity and threats on 254,000 ac identified for stewardship management.
2. Maintain the Kumu Wai. Increase KS' total stewardship footprint from 136,100 ac to 194,500 ac.
3. Hold the Line. Limit habitat loss on 179,000 ac by suppressing and/or eliminating priority threats to natural regeneration of native species.
4. Turn the Tide. Increase very high quality habitat from 2,100 ac to 15,500 ac by suppressing and/or eliminating all priority threats to natural regeneration.
5. Recruit Allies. Increase collaborations with neighbors and agencies. Increase collaboratively funded and implemented projects.
6. Complete the Cycle. Provide more healthy 'ōhi'a forests to inspire oli and mele. Provide more young koa for future canoes. Increase 'āina-based learning experiences to 3,000 served annually. Increase natural resources internships to 10 annually.

"When cutting the wood for the ali'i, be thinking of the young trees for the young ali'i. After we have gone, they will not be poor because we did not understand that this source of wealth will benefit the young ali'i in the future." - Kamehameha I

Key Contact: Ulalia Woodside, Regional Assets Manager, Kamehameha Schools, email
Learn More: website

3. Big Ocean

Big Ocean provides a forum for peer learning, communication, and networking through which professional managers of large-scale MPAs can work together to be more efficient and effective in their management efforts.

What makes it bright?
• International partnerships that leverage Hawaii/Pacific-based efforts to improve marine conservation globally

• Peer learning and support that builds capacity, and encourages sustainable, intergenerational adaptive management planning

• Places Hawaii and the Pacific as key players in reaching global targets

Inter-disciplinary and multi-sector approaches that assist in leveraging limited resources

"Big Ocean is a network that fosters peer-based learning and support––for managers, and to-be managers, by managers." -- ʻAulani Wilhelm

Contact: Naia Lewis, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, email
Learn More: website

4. Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council

The Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC) is an interagency collaboration of six state departments, mandated to provide cabinet-level direction on invasive species issues. The HISC is comprised of the directors (or their designees) of Department of Land & Natureal Resources (DLNR), Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA), Department of Helath (DOH), Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT), University of Hawaiʻi, and Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism.

HISC coordinates interagency funding, resolutions, and legislation pertaining to invasive species prevention, control, outreach, and research. Non-voting participants from the State Legislature, federal agencies, and other state departments help ensure a broad, interdisciplinary focus for Council actions.

What makes it bright?

• High-level engagement from top agency officials who are passionate and knowledgeable on invasive species issues.

• Active and vocal community participation from invasive species practitioners and members of the public.

• Effective on-the-ground prevention, control, and outreach projects provide feedback to the HISC that drives political action.

Key Contact: Josh Atwood, Coordinator, Hawai'i Invasives Species Council, email
Learn More: website link

"Collaboration across state departments has resulted in clear progress toward addressing the impacts of invasive species in the Islands." Governor Neil Abercrombie

"Because invasive species have such a detrimental effect on critical things like our water and food security, we are committed to working across" –William J. Aila, Jr., Chairperson, Department of Land & Natural Resources