Human Impact on Auwahi

Significance of Auwahi

There are many reasons to why we chose to research more information about Auwahi. In its territory,  this native forest is the richest botanical region and also has more tree species than any other rainforest in Hawaii. Its ethnobotanical use is a huge factor of why it's a special dry land forest. There are fifty rare species of trees found in Auwahi. Out of fifty, forty-one trees are ethnobotanically used. They are used for medicines, canoe construction, kappa making, dye colors, making tools, and religious reasons. Another reason to why we chose Auwahi is that it has been degrading over time which now threatens its existence in Maui. In order to keep this dry land forest, the Auwahi Restoration Group has been created. Every Saturday, volunteers come together to restore the native forest back to what it use to be. Without their help, the trees and its benefits would be extinct.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Maua
It is used for wood. It's heavy, however it can be easily worked on.





'Ohe Mauka
Early Hawaiians used the fruits to medicinally tend to infants.







Iliahi
Early Hawaiians used it for clothing. Now the fruit is used as a dye sometimes and the flowers are used for leis.

CURRENT HUMAN-IMPACT

The reason why Auwahi is stable is because of the many volunteers that help restore this important forest. These dedicated group of volunteers come from all over Hawaii. Dramatic changes have been made over the past three years to this restoration project. Over thousands of plants have been planted plus many weeds have been pulled due to the generous time volunteers have put in. They plant seeds and grow them in greenhouses until they are ready to return out as strong plants in the forest. The main reason why this restoration project is growing is because of the Auwahi Restoration Group which meets every Saturday. Along with the many volunteers that help restore this native forest, a wind farm was created in 2012 which will help Hawaii achieve its goal of generating its energy from renewable sources by 2030. The benefits of these eight turbines is that it helps preserve the agricultural and rural sites of Auwahi.
I feel that if we continue with groups that are trying to restore the native forest such as Auwahi Restoration Group, we can continue to see improvement with the growth of Auwahi. I believe if they continue nursing plants until they are strong in greenhouses will help the native forest. Over time, Auwahi will improve; however, we must continue dedicating time to fix this native forest.

This what the restoration project looks like from the air.

HOW TO IMPROVE AUWAHI

To help improve Auwahi, we must start by volunteering through the Auwahi Restoration Group. This group is made of private and public agencies working together to improve the conditions of the native forest. Every Saturday, groups of volunteers come to restore Auwahi. In the span of three years, improvements have been made such as 7,000 native plants being replanted and many weeds have been pulled. They also collect seeds and grow them in greenhouses. This allows the plants to be nurtured until they are strong enough to return back. Because of the volunteers, we are able to see vast improvements of Auwahi. If we continue to help contribute to the native forest restoration: Auwahi will not be extinct and it will continue to prosper throughout the years.

REFRENCES

"Natural Areas of Hawaii." Auwahi. N.p., 13 Jan 2008. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.
"Volunteering: What to Expect.: Volunteer Opportunities at Auwahi. 'Olino, n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2015
" Santalum Haleakalae Var. Haleakalae." Native Plants Hawaii. University of Hawaii, 2009. Web.
         22 Nov. 2015.
" Polyscias Sandwicensis." Native Plants Hawaii. University of Hawaii, 2009. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.
"What's Next for Maui Restoration Group." Preserve Hawaii. N.p., 24 May 2010. Web.
        22 Nov. 2015.