Community Stewardship is Key to Kānepu‘u Preserve Success

November 2025 — Kānepu‘u, one of the most significant dryland forests remaining in Hawai‘i and a wahi pana (storied, sacred place) rich in cultural heritage. On November 1, community volunteers joined the Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center to continue vital restoration efforts in this rare and meaningful landscape.

Today, the Kānepu‘u Preserve stands as a thriving cultural treasure, one of Lāna‘i’s most precious natural resources and among the last intact dryland forests in the Hawaiian Islands. We mahalo The Nature Conservancy and KS Kaiāulu for supporting this ongoing initiative. More than 50 dedicated volunteers came together last Saturday to help mālama (care for) and protect this special place.

Community stewardship remains essential for the long-term health of Kānepu‘u. Dryland forests regenerate slowly, and consistent, hands-on care is key to strengthening their resilience. Each volunteer workday not only supports the forest’s recovery but also helps create space for native plants and the cultural stories they hold to return and thrive.

Although dryland forests once covered vast areas of Hawai‘i, only about 2 percent remain today. Kānepu‘u is one of the last and most important examples of this ecosystem. According to the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, these forests are home to nearly 40 percent of Hawai‘i’s native plants. Over time, introduced animals, invasive species, and soil erosion have placed this ecosystem at risk, making restoration efforts more important than ever.