2003
YEAR
OF THE
HAWAIIAN
FOREST

INTRODUCTION

Hahai no ka ua i ka ulula `au." (Rains always follow the Forest)

---------` Olelo No`eau (Ancient Hawaii proverb)

The Hawaiian islands -- an isolated archipelago with high forested mountains, a multitude of climates, and abundant rainfall, provided a remarkable opportunity for the first plant and animal visitors that arrived on its shores. Together these plants and animals grew over the thousands of years to form complex ecosystems of incredible beauty. The native Hawaiian forests represent one of our planet's magnificent treasures, including lowland and montane rain forests and some of the world's most unique examples of tropical biodiversity, much of it endangered with no where else to go. The first stakeholders for Hawaii's forests.

The early Polynesian settlers brought plants and animals with them for food and medicinal use on their long discovery voyage to Hawaii over 1000 years ago. They quickly learned about and used the forest resources for clothing, medicine, shelter, and as part of their culture. Although they impacted the lowland forests, they understood the rains always follow the forests --- without the rains, there is no water, and with no water, there is no life. The second stakeholders for Hawaii's forests.

The advent of the white man brought more impact and different stakeholders for Hawaii's forests. The oily heartwood of the sandalwood tree resulted in the islands' first cash crop. Cattle were introduced to the islands in 1794. The damage to the forest brought by the sandalwood trade was substantial but insignificant in comparison to the damage wrought by the cattle and other animals who multiplied unchecked in numbers and spread throughout the forest. Hawaii's forests were also use to fuel local households, sugar mills, and even traveled as railroad ties to California. Rains still followed the forests, but the forests were disappearing.

In the late 1890's, the sugar industry and the growing population of Hawaii realized that their abundant supply of high quality water was being threatened by the destruction of the forested mountain watersheds. They began to understand the proverb and became stakeholders for Hawaii forests. Act 44, approved by the Territorial Legislature on April 25, 1903, created Hawaii's forest reserve system, which became the largest public-private partnership in the history of the State. Forests reserves were established and fenced, damaging animals were removed, and millions of trees were planted - trees from all over the world. Rains always follow the Forest.

Today we are all enjoying the benefits that the Hawaii's forests provide us. The forest reserves and much of the watershed within the conservation districts are in good hydrologic condition. Hawaii's long-standing policy of watershed protection has resulted in dramatic improvements from the degraded conditions that prevailed at the turn of the century. Management activities, such as protective zoning, fencing, removal or control of feral animals, reforestation, and fire protection have reduced excessive erosion and loss of vegetative cover.

In spite of these achievements, much work is still needed. Due to human impacts, cattle grazing, feral animals and invasive plants, half of Hawaii's unique tropical forests are gone. And with the forests have gone many of our Hawaiian plants and animals. In fact, nearly 75% of the nation's documented plant and bird extinctions are from Hawaii. Invasive weeds such as the dreaded Miconia are taking over critical forested watersheds on Maui and Hawaii. And Hawaii faces a situation where we may run out of drinking water in the next 25 years if we stay on the course we are on. On Oahu, the window of time may be shorter. Yet, Hawaii spends less than 1% of the state budget to protect and manage all the land and natural resources of our islands.

We are fortunate that Hawaii's people, landowners, and government had the foresight a century ago to protect and manage Hawaii's forests and watersheds. There is an urgency today to reconnect Hawaii's economy and its people with the health of its natural resources and environment. The Hawaii State Legislature has declared Year 2003 as the Year of the Hawaiian Forest to celebrate the centennial anniversary of Hawaii's forest reserve system. This could be a great opportunity to reach out to many sectors of our society and commit ourselves to assure that future generations will have a chance to have that same celebration 100 years from now.

Michael G. Buck - State Forester
2003

OBJECTIVES

STRATEGY

Through broad media campaigns, education programs, special events, traveling displays and other activities, the Year of the Forest (YOF) celebration will heighten public awareness about the special qualities and value of Hawaii's forests; the needs for active management; and what the public can do to help.

The initiative will ask the public to consider:

KEY MESSAGES

AUDIENCE

Like the messages, the target audiences will vary. For example, in a paid advertising campaign, target audiences would be determined through market research and would utilize paid media -- radio, television and print-- to reach specific communities according to age, interest, geography, education, issue, and interest. Specific outreach activities such as news conferences, publications, and events would likely target decision-makers, opinion leaders, funders, and educators. Community events, free media solicitation, displays, etc. would reach out to the general public. Methods would range and overlap, perhaps reaching multiple audiences at the same time.

Audiences will include:

ORGANIZATION

HOW WILL WE MEASURE OUR SUCCESS?

POTENTIAL SIGNATURE PROJECTS

Please email us with your comments or suggestions.

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