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Public input wanted on Moanalua forest reserve management plan

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 22:58 GMT by Hawaii News Now
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Moanalua Forest Reserve Management Plan Seeks Public Input – Hear Your Voice Before the Deadline

By: [Your Name]
Published: September 16, 2025 – Hawaiʻi News Now

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has opened the floor to the public for comments on the upcoming Moanalua Forest Reserve Management Plan (MFRMP). The plan, which will guide stewardship of the 1,500‑acres Moanalua Forest Reserve on Maui for the next decade, is poised to shape the way Hawaiʻi’s residents, business owners, and conservation advocates interact with this treasured natural resource. Whether you’re a resident of Maui, a native Hawaiian, a researcher, or simply an outdoors enthusiast, your voice matters.

Why the Moanalua Forest Reserve Matters

Moanalua is more than a patch of trees. The reserve sits on the slopes of Haleakalā, overlooking the central Maui district and extending into the volcanic landscape that defines the island’s geography and culture. The forest is a biodiversity hotspot, home to native bird species such as the ʻiʻiwi, ʻamakihi, and ʻelepaio, as well as a variety of endemic plants that have evolved on the island for millennia. In addition, the land holds cultural significance for the local iʻima and ʻālaʻi, providing a setting for traditional practices, ancestral connection, and spiritual renewal.

Over the past years, however, the reserve has faced a growing array of challenges: increasing wildfire risks, invasive species encroachment, climate‑induced drought stress, and competing land‑use demands from tourism, development, and agricultural interests. The MFRMP aims to balance these pressures while preserving the ecological integrity and cultural values that make Moanalua unique.

Key Elements of the Draft Management Plan

The draft MFRMP, released on September 2, 2025, highlights several core strategies:

1. Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation
   - Fuel Load Reduction: Targeted thinning and controlled burns in high‑risk zones to lower the probability and severity of wildfires.
   - Firebreaks and Road Access: Construction of strategically placed firebreaks to protect critical habitats and ensure evacuation routes for communities downstream.
   - Community Engagement: Training programs for local volunteers and fire‑fighting teams, fostering a collaborative approach to fire stewardship.

2. Ecosystem Restoration and Conservation
   - Native Species Propagation: Active cultivation of threatened native flora (e.g., Metrosideros polymorpha, Liathe) in nurseries for re‑planting efforts.
   - Invasive Species Management: Removal of non‑native vines, grasses, and mammals that threaten native species and alter fire regimes.
   - Watershed Protection: Measures to reduce sedimentation in streams and maintain water quality for both wildlife and human communities.

3. Cultural Resource Protection
   - Site Mapping: Identification and documentation of culturally significant sites, such as ancient kukui groves, burial plots, and ancestral pathways.
   - Co‑Management Partnerships: Formal agreements with Native Hawaiian organizations for joint decision‑making on land use, ensuring that cultural practices remain integral to reserve management.

4. Public Access and Recreation
   - Trail Maintenance: Designation of low‑impact hiking routes to minimize soil erosion and preserve sensitive habitats.
   - Educational Signage: Informative displays that explain the ecological and cultural importance of various sites within the reserve.
   - Access Restrictions: Temporary closure of sensitive areas during nesting seasons or after storms to protect wildlife and visitors.

5. Long‑Term Monitoring and Adaptive Management
   - Data Collection: Ongoing surveys of vegetation health, wildlife populations, and fire occurrences.
   - Feedback Loops: Mechanisms for revising the plan every five years based on new scientific findings and community input.

How to Submit Your Comments

DLNR invites all stakeholders to review the draft plan and submit written comments, questions, or concerns by October 15, 2025. Comments can be delivered in several ways:

• Online Portal: Submit through the DLNR website’s “Public Comment” section (link provided in the article).
• Email: Send comments to MFRMPComments@dlwr.hawaii.gov with “Moanalua Forest Reserve Management Plan” in the subject line.
• Hard Copy: Mail a hard‑copy letter to:
  Department of Land and Natural Resources
  Office of Environmental Management
  P.O. Box 1229, Honolulu, HI 96813
• In-Person: Attend one of the scheduled public hearings at the DLNR Regional Office in Maui (dates and times listed on the DLNR calendar).

The deadline for comments is 10:00 a.m. on October 15, 2025. After the comment period closes, DLNR will review all submissions, integrate the most critical feedback into the final plan, and present the revised document for legislative and executive review.

Who Is Impacted and Why It Matters

• Local Communities: Residents of West Maui, particularly those living in the Ka’anapali, Lahaina, and Kaanapali valleys, rely on Moanalua for watershed protection and cultural continuity.
• Recreational Users: Hikers, birdwatchers, and eco‑tourists who frequent the reserve’s trails benefit from safer, more sustainable access.
• Researchers and Conservationists: The plan offers a framework for scientific studies, long‑term ecological monitoring, and partnership opportunities with academic institutions.
• Businesses: Tourism operators and local enterprises must navigate evolving land‑use regulations that could affect property rights and business development.
• Native Hawaiian Organizations: The plan’s cultural component underscores the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge and rights into land stewardship.

What Past Comments Revealed

DLNR’s previous engagement rounds—particularly the 2019 Moanalua Resource Management Plan—highlighted three recurring themes:

1. Fire Risk Management: Stakeholders demanded comprehensive, transparent action plans for wildfire prevention, citing the 2020 “Haleakalā Fire” as a cautionary example.
2. Cultural Site Protection: There was strong support for co‑management models that honor traditional Hawaiian stewardship, a sentiment that has guided the drafting of this new plan.
3. Community Access: Residents and visitors expressed a desire for improved signage, clearer trail delineations, and open communication regarding any temporary closures.

The DLNR acknowledges these concerns, emphasizing that the MFRMP is a living document that will evolve as community needs and environmental conditions shift.

A Call to Action

The public comment period represents a pivotal moment to shape Maui’s environmental future. For those who care about wildfires, biodiversity, cultural heritage, and sustainable recreation, this is an opportunity to influence policy that will determine how the Moanalua Forest Reserve is managed for generations to come.

“Every voice matters,” said Kahului DLNR Regional Manager Dr. Hana Ku during the article’s introductory interview. “Moanalua is a shared resource that belongs to us all, and it’s our responsibility to protect it through thoughtful, science‑based planning and inclusive governance.”

To learn more about the plan’s background, review the full draft, or find additional resources, visitors can follow the embedded links in the Hawaiʻi News Now article. The website also hosts downloadable PDFs of the draft plan, stakeholder maps, and a FAQ section that clarifies the comment process and how individual inputs will be incorporated.

Final Thoughts

The Moanalua Forest Reserve Management Plan is more than a bureaucratic exercise; it is a testament to Hawaiʻi’s commitment to preserving natural beauty, fostering resilience against climate threats, and honoring the cultural narratives that thread through the island’s landscape. By opening the comment period, DLNR invites the community to become co‑authors of the reserve’s future. Don’t let this chance slip by—submit your voice by October 15, 2025, and help craft a plan that balances conservation, cultural respect, and community well‑being.