Maui Boy Scouts Expand Reforestation at Pu‘u Mahoe

The Scouts learn about proper repose and compaction to prevent erosion while building a 300 foot trail to expand native reforestation within Pu’u Mahoe’s cinder cone. Courtesy photo.

By Wendy Osher

Boy Scouts on Maui with Troop 14 from Kula spent a recent weekend constructing a 300-foot trail, and expanding native reforestation at the Pu‘u Mahoe cinder cone.

The weekend was organized and directed by Fletcher Prouty, Eagle Scout and junior at Seabury Hall.

The two-night camping trip, held on August 10 to 12, was funded in part by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s Natural Resource Program.  It was conducted as part of the program’s Friends of the DT Fleming Arboretum, and the Pahana Ho‘ola-Seeds of Hope 2012 initiative.

The service project also included educational presentations by various instructors and professors. This included an evening Star Watch program led by astronomy instructor Harriet Witt who discussed constellations and other navigational tools used by ancient Hawaiians. David Grooms, Professor and Assistant Dean of Instruction of University of Hawaii-Maui College, gave a geology presentation explaining the cinder cones and lava flows of South Maui.

The weekend also included a hike to a rain altar at Ulupalakua Ranch.

Friends of the DT Fleming Arboretum at Pu’u Mahoe was created in 2002 to continue the work and vision of David Thomas Fleming: to preserve Maui’s dry land forest plant species for the restoration of watershed and native habitat on the southern slopes of Haleakala.

Troop 14 walk their newly completed trail on the way to their next project- an afternoon of guinea grass eradication. Courtesy photo.

Boy Scout camping includes a carefully lit fire and the traditional evening desert of s’mores. (L to R) Weekend coordinator, Fletcher Prouty, RJ Prouty in black and other scouts of Troop 14. Courtesy photo.

David Grooms points out Pu’u Mahoe cinder cone within Maui’s south rift, a fissure from the hot spot under the island of Hawaii. Courtesy photo.