Kaʻala Invasive Weed Control

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Sitting at over 4,000ft, Kaʻala is home to many native plants and animals, such Hawaiian honeycreepers, kāhuli (tree snails), pinao (dragonfly), orchids, and lobelias endemic to the area. It is the tallest puʻu (peak) on Oʻahu and can be very difficult to traverse on via public hiking trail. Once in the natural area reserve, hikers can safely traverse through the cloud forest/bog on a boardwalk. However over the years, the boardwalk has been degrading through overuse and invasive species. These invasive species are encroaching on the native habitat. In preparation of the Kaʻala boardwalk rebuild, the focus of this workday will mainly deal with removing invasive species along the boardwalk and bog. Dependent on materials, participants will also assist with moving boardwalk material onto the old boardwalk. After the workday, participants will have the opportunity to hike the boardwalk, learn about the native species in the area, and immerse themselves in the cloud forest.

Event Date and Time

Saturday, September 27, 2025

8:00am to 5:00pm

Location

In-Person Event
located at Kaʻala

Event Address:

1480 Higgins Road (Building 1595)
Wahiawa, HI 96786
United States

Directions to this event

Registration

Contact Information

Jenna Patague

Army Natural Resources Program, Oʻahu (ANRPO) Outreach and Volunteer Program Specialist

outreach@oanrp.com

(808) 352-4372

1480 Higgins Road (Building 1595)
Wahiawa, HI 96786
United States

Directions to this event

Event details

Participants will be able to access the sign up to this event on our website: www.oanrp.com on the National Public Lands Day (NPLD) tab on Monday, September 15 at 12pm HST. Due to our remote locations, we will only have a few spots open (25). If you do not get a confirmed spot, please sign up for the waitlist and we will get in contact with you before the event if any spots open.

This workday will run from 8am - 5pm. All participants must meet at our East base yard 1480 Higgins Road (directly across Wheeler Army Airfield by the Waihiawā (Sgt. E. Smith) Community Garden. Tools (small hand tools, raingear, gloves, buckets) will be provided. Please pack lunch, water, and snacks. Tentative Schedule:

8:00 - 8:30am: Morning brief (ANRPO introduction; Daily Risk/Safety/Plan Brief; Gearing Up)

8:30am - 10am: Drive up to Kaʻala

10:00 - 10:15am: Kaʻala Introduction/Welcome Brief

10:15am - 12:15pm: Weeding Demonstration/Invasive Weed Control*

12:15pm - 1pm: Lunch

1pm - 3pm: Explore boardwalk & snail kipukas

3pm - 4:30pm: Drive back to base yard

4:30pm - 5pm: Clean Gear

* if boardwalk materials arrive on time, volunteers will assist with staging boardwalk materials along the old boardwalk/building areas

Learn more at: oanrp.com/