The Pu‘u Wa‘awa‘a Ahupua‘a Program of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has many volunteer opportunities.
The mission of the group is to:
“Enhance, protect, conserve and manage Hawaii’s unique and limited natural, cultural and historic resources held in public trust for current and future generations of the people of Hawaii nei, and its visitors, in partnership with others from the public and private sectors.”
Hawaii residents and visitors alike are drawn to this magnificent natural landmark nestled near the northern flank of Hualalai mountain. Pu’u Wa’awa’a is the namesake of the greater ahupua’a (traditional land management area) in the North Kona district that encompasses over 35,000 acres of land on the leeward side of Hawaii Island, spanning eight miles from an elevation of 6,500 feet to sea level at Kiholo Bay.
An area with a deep history, diverse biological features, unique geological formations, and amazing natural beauty, this ahupua’a is managed as both a State Forest Reserve in the mauka (mountainous) and State Park in the makai (coastal) lands. For well over a century, this area was largely inaccessible as a
privately-operated cattle ranch. With a Management Plan in place, the opportunities to experience and malama (“care for”) Pu’u Wa’awa’a will continue to increase as the native Hawaiian dryland forest is protected and enhanced for the benefit of current and future generations.
See Big Island Now article and 4-minute video by Malika Dudley.