Hawaiian Forest Institute

Hawaiian Forest Institute
Name	Hawaiian Forest Institute
Formation	1998
Type	Nonprofit organization
Headquarters	Hilo, Hawaii
Region served	Hawaiian Islands
Leader title	Executive Director

Hawaiian Forest Institute is a nonprofit conservation organization based in Hilo, Hawaii focusing on native forest restoration, native species conservation, and watershed protection. The institute operates in partnership with federal and state agencies, indigenous Hawaiian organizations, and academic institutions to implement restoration projects, scientific research, and community education. Its activities span ecological restoration sites, collaborative research labs, and outreach programs across the Big Island and other Hawaiian Islands.

History

The institute was founded in 1998 during a period of heightened attention to invasive species and native species decline, with engagement from stakeholders including Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Haleakala National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and community groups. Early projects drew on expertise from University of Hawaii at Hilo, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, The Nature Conservancy, and Kamehameha Schools to design restoration plots, propagate native plants, and map watersheds. Over subsequent decades the organization expanded collaborations with agencies such as Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and philanthropic partners including The Christensen Fund and Kaiser Permanente.

Mission and Programs

The institute's mission centers on restoring native Hawaiian forest ecosystems, protecting endangered plants and animals, and supporting traditional Hawaiian resource management through collaborative programs with institutions such as Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaiian Homes Commission, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, and Island Conservation. Core programs include native plant nurseries in partnership with Hawaii Community College, habitat fencing and ungulate control with Parker Ranch and Koloa Preserve, and watershed restoration initiatives linked to Waipiʻo Valley and Hāmākua Coast stewardship. Conservation planning often references legal protections under Endangered Species Act listings and coordinates with recovery plans from US Fish and Wildlife Service offices and State Historic Preservation Division processes.

Research and Conservation Initiatives

Research programs integrate botanical surveys, invasive species management, and restoration ecology with collaborators such as Smithsonian Institution, US Geological Survey, Hilo Tropical Forestry Sciences Lab, and university centers like the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit and Center for Conservation Research and Training. Field studies have focused on endangered taxa listed by IUCN and NatureServe, including strategic recovery actions for species protected under the Endangered Species Act and state listings. Projects address invasive plants and animals—coordinating control with Hawaiian Department of Agriculture and landscape-scale efforts influenced by initiatives at Kīpuka Puaulu and Kahuku Unit conservation areas. Long-term monitoring aligns with protocols used by National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and community-based research programs modeled on collaborations with Mālama ʻĀina groups.

Education and Community Outreach

Outreach programs partner with cultural practitioners from Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, educators from Hawaii State Department of Education, and researchers from University of Hawaii Sea Grant to deliver curricula, volunteer restoration days, and workforce training. School-based programs involve collaborations with Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences, Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy, and community schools, while public workshops have been held with organizations such as Honolulu Zoo, Kupu, and Conservation International USA. Cultural education integrates knowledge from Native Hawaiian practitioners associated with Office of Hawaiian Affairs and ʻohana-led stewardship initiatives, while volunteer events mirror engagement strategies used by AmeriCorps and Youth Conservation Corps.

Partnerships and Funding

The institute receives support through grants and partnerships with institutions including US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Hawaii Community Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and corporate donors similar to Alexander & Baldwin. It has formal MOUs and project agreements with municipal entities such as County of Hawaii agencies and collaborates on funded projects with academic grant partners like National Science Foundation research awards and cooperative agreements with US Geological Survey. Philanthropic relationships include regional trusts and foundations that have previously supported conservation work in Hawaii, and technical partnerships with botanical institutions such as Chicago Botanic Garden and New York Botanical Garden.

Organizational Structure and Governance

The institute is governed by a volunteer board of directors composed of conservation scientists, cultural practitioners, and community leaders with ties to organizations such as University of Hawaii Foundation, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Kamehameha Schools', and local land trusts. Day-to-day operations are managed by an executive director coordinating staff, nursery technicians, field crews, and research associates who collaborate with federal partners including US Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service. Financial oversight and nonprofit compliance follow practices consistent with other Hawaiian nonprofits registered with the State of Hawaii Department of the Attorney General and reporting aligned to funders like National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Hawaii Community Foundation.

Category:Conservation organizations based in Hawaii