#conservation

The Maui Soil and Water Conservation Districts and federal officials invite residents to shape local conservation funding priorities during an Aug. 26 meeting at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. Representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service want to hear from agricultural leaders, farmers, ranchers, forest landowners and conservation/environmental organizations. They need input on current […]

Kupu, Hawai‘i’s leading conservation and youth education organization, announced today that it received a grant of $1.75M from AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism.

Kupu, Hawai‘i’s leading conservation and youth education organization, today announced that applications are now open for the Conservation Leadership Development Program and Kupu ʻĀina Corps. Recent high school graduates, college graduates and young professionals looking to establish a career in conservation are strongly encouraged to apply by Sept. 12, 2026. 

The Friends of Haleakalā National Park is recruiting experienced hikers and backpackers for a three-day, two-night volunteer service trip in the park’s Crater Wilderness area, according to the organization. The strenuous trip, which involves extensive hiking with backpacks, is scheduled for Aug. 11-13. Volunteers will stay at Kapalaoa Cabin and work to remove invasive plants […]

Endangered moth and damselfly species have been rediscovered on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi after decades without confirmed sightings, offering new hope for two of Hawaiʻi’s imperiled native insects, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Governor Josh Green signed two landmark measures in back-to-back bill signing ceremonies on Friday, aimed at strengthening Hawai‘i’s governance and preserving irreplaceable ecosystems.

In the study, scientists used drone photography to measure the body length of free-swimming dolphins, which revealed a decline in the number of calves.

The incident occurred on Sept. 18, 2025, when the men were seen taking ‘opihi from the Ka‘ūpūlehu Marine Reserve.

Three students with roots on Maui—a Maui High graduate researching plant-based fire suppressants, a Seabury Hall senior focused on native plant restoration and a college student who found her calling working with the Maui Invasive Species Committee—have been selected as the 2026–2027 recipients of the Friends of Haleakalā National Park’s annual memorial scholarship.

A statewide environmental coalition is applauding Hawaiʻi lawmakers for advancing what it calls a historic first round of Green Fee investments — while pressing for stronger transparency as the money begins flowing to projects across the islands, including Maui.

On Maui, the Honolua Hands-On Conservation — Aloha Pūʻu Kukui program is among those receiving support. Through the program, community volunteers work in the upper slopes of Honolua Valley, learning to identify native and invasive plants, plant seedlings and understand the watershed’s role in feeding the reefs of Lahaina and Kāʻanapali.

Ten high school students from Maui recently completed the 2025 programming of Stay Maui Nui, a youth career exploration and leadership program developed by the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows. Held June 23–27, the week-long program offered students opportunities to explore career pathways, develop leadership skills, and deepen their connection to Maui through site visits, workshops, and mentor engagement.

Removing black wattle is important to fire mitigation in Kula because the invasive species burns fast and it chokes out more fire-resistant native species.

The land went on the market for $3.5 million last year, but the price recently dropped by $1 million.

Federal laws prevent the state from barring commercial boat activity in the area.

Both the nonprofit and a land conservation expert described the $1.5 million purchase as a rare victory in a state where so many other lands are being sold and developed.

Nonprofit For the Fishes said it has found that the Maui Ocean Center has repeatedly violated its special permits over the years, and that the state has allowed them to do so with minimal consequences.

Conservation groups and the Grand Wailea Resort have reached a settlement agreement to protect endangered Hawaiian petrels (‘ua‘u) while the resort seeks a permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

“It’s important because it is connected to a much larger set of lands that go all the way to the summit (of the West Maui Mountains),” said Scott Fretz, the Maui branch manager of DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. “Fires often start at those mauka lands and come down in the direction toward the highway. And often they start at the highway and go up this parcel into the mauka lands. So, that connectivity is important.”

The Garden Island Arts Council teamed up with Hallux Ecosystem Restoration, LLC, to create the large window display.