The Department of Land and Natural Resources formalized a new partnership with public and private landowners to form the Wai'anae Mountains Watershed Partnership, a joint effort to protect, restore and enhance the Wai'anae Mountains watershed from the ridge to the sea while incorporating traditional, cultural and community values. The members include DLNR, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Gill-Olson Joint Venture, Ka'ala Farm, MA'O Organic Farms and the United States Army Garrison, Hawai'i and United States Navy Region.

Liparis hawaiensis, a native orchid known as 'awapuhiakanaloa, has tiny green flowers and is one of many native plants and insects that will benefit from the conservation efforts. Photo: Yumi Miyata, DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife

The unique partnership is focusing on more effective coordination between partners and community members to address current management challenges in the Wai'anae Mountains. The challenges are many: habitat improvement, restoration and protection, invasive species management and control, water resource management and protection, compatible recreational use and access, promotion of sustainable agriculture and cultural resource protection and awareness.

"The partnership will bring people together to cooperatively develop and implement management strategies for watershed areas, native species and their habitats," said DLNR chairperson Laura H. Thielen, "and historical, cultural and socio-economic resources for all who benefit from the continued health of all of the Wai'anae Mountains ahupua'a." Since 1991, DLNR has become a member of 10 voluntary watershed partnerships recognized by the Hawai'i Association for Watershed Partnerships, all of which were created between public and private landowners to collaboratively work together towards the common goals of conservation, preservation and management of Hawai'i's precious natural and cultural resources.