Restoring West Maui's Ecology and Community

Mālama ‘Āina Reforestation Project— Restoring West Maui‘s Ecology and Community

The Mālama ‘Āina Project is dedicated to creating a thriving, sustainable community focused on community healing ́and ecological stewardship. The initial project is to secure nonprofit, local school, and/or DLNR land in Lahaina‘s foothills to plant trees. An ́infrastructure will be established to support planting trees, sustainable farming, youth education and empowerment, responsible land stewardship, and in later phases, spiritual practice. By fostering a sacred connection between individuals and their environment, Mālama ‘Āina Project strives to leave a lasting positive impact on the Maui community.

MĀLĀMA ‘ĀINA TEAM - TOGETHER WE CARE

The Mālama ‘Āina Project was founded by Akua Seva directors Brent Pyeatt and Goldean Lowe, dedicated Napili residents with deep roots in Maui‘s communities. The Mālama ‘Āina Project benefits from a core foundation with these directors’ unwavering determination. Community partners include reforestation advisor George Purdy; Heidi Denecke from the Maui Animal Farm in Launiapoko, hosting the first Malama Aina site; Michael Peden and Keanyn Pacyao-Revilla of Valley Global disaster relief and sustainable development nonprofit; and Jonathan (Jonny) Klassen and Jason Dennis at Brew Hut Maui, lead educators for soil/forest regeneration and mapping progress.

Akua Seva: Brent Pyeatt and Goldean Lowe. Akua Seva is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the ecology of the planet and our consciousness. Brent, the owner of Prasad Soul Food, is a backyard permaculture farmer and culinary entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience. Goldean (MA, BCBA, LBA) is a distinguished Behavioral Analyst and the CEO and Clinical Director of the award-winning ABA therapy clinic in Lāhainā and is committed to ecological stewardship. Together, Brent and Goldean have led the organization of five festivals other stage production projects, including two Lilikoi Festivals, and they bring diverse yet complementary backgrounds to this project.

Advisor George Purdy is CTO for the Lanai Agroforestry Resource Park II and Dry Land/Water Harvesting model. He successfully reforested several acres on Lanai and tirelessly promotes reforestation and fire prevention in Hawaii.

Advisor George Kahumoku Jr. is a Grammy Award-winning Hawaiian musician specializing in slack-key guitar. Born in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, he was labeled as "Hawaii's Renaissance Man" by Nona Beamer because of his far reaching talents: farmer, author, musician and composer, sculptor and artist, and Hawaiian cultural practitioner, particularly as it relates to the land or 'aina.

Valley Global: Michael Peden, and Keanyn Pacyao-Revilla: a 501(c)(3) based in Lāhainā working as a disaster relief and sustainable development non-profit, is deeply committed to supporting the Mālama ‘Āina Reforestation Project in Lāhainā . Valley Global will provide logistical support and dedicated volunteers throughout all phases. Our focus is on sustainable decision-making and providing relief services to ensure the success of this vital ecological initiative. Our mission extends beyond immediate aid; we actively engage in sustainable development, ensuring that Lāhainā thrives. As a dedicated partner in the project, Together with community partners, we strive to leave a positive legacy for generations to come.

Maui Animal Farm: Heidi Denecke

is the owner and operator of Maui Animal Farm and host to the first demonstration Groasis replanting and soil regeneration project. The farm mission is to share our love and experience by educating people about animals and their importance to the culture, history, and agriculture of Hawaii, and to provide a memorable, heartwarming experience with the animals in our petting zoo, which brings smiles and laughter to both the keikis (children) and their parents. The farm is located in breathtaking Launiupoko in the hills of West Maui, with views of cloud-misted mountains, rainbow skies, and the ocean and surrounding islands.

Brew Hut: Jonathan Klassen (founder) and Jason Dennis (customer relations) are permaculture farmers helping Maui residents, farms, and land-care organizations through Soil Regeneration Maui, a program offering high-quality biological soil amendments at no cost. Brew Hut puts life back into the soil, creating regenerative landscapes and removing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, or any other synthetic products. The amendments extracted from compost include beneficial species of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes present in a healthy soil-food web.

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION:

REFORESTING LAHAINA‘S FOOTHILLS:

The Mālama ‘Āina project begins with the restoration of Lahaina‘s foothills. Recognizing the importance of trees such as ulu, milo, and kukui, we are committed to bringing indigenous vegetation back to the landscape. This is not just about planting trees; it’s about stewarding the natural balance of the ecosystem. The roots of the trees will increase ecological resilience, retain moisture in the ground, and contribute to the retention of precipitation.

Reducing Fire Risks: We will work to mitigate local fire risks. By restoring the landscape, creating wide fire breaks, and reducing dry and flammable vegetation, we can create a safer environment for the entire community. Our efforts align with the broader goal of reducing the devastating impact of wildfires on Maui‘s West Side.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND HEALING:

Including community members and visitors in re-planting gives them the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to restoring the landscape and cooling down the West Side for fire prevention. By participating, community members feel the satisfaction of actually doing something, taking positive action, to restore their community and prevent future fires. Visitors can volunteer to plant trees, and/or offset their carbon footprint by sponsoring planting trees. School students can learn to steward their land, restore their native forests, and protect their community with hands-on experience.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING:

Sustainability is at the heart of our mission. We envision a loving, cooperative, and thriving community that practices sustainable living, incorporating principles of regenerative agriculture, responsible land stewardship, and environmental consciousness. By teaching and implementing sustainable practices with the involvement of local experts in the fields of permaculture, soil science, water conservation, and regenerative farming, we can empower our community to thrive harmoniously with the land. We are currently in discussion with soil scientists, nurseries, other nonprofits, web designers landowners, social-media experts, government natural resources representatives, concerned community members, and local schools.

The Restoration Process and Impact

Our Reforestation model is based on George Purdy’s team project on Lanai, where they have successfully reforested several acres at a 90 percent success rate with the Dryland Agriculture Plan. Design for landscaping and groundworks (swales and ponds). George Purdy, a dry-agriculture expert, and Jonathan Klassen (soil biologist with Brew Hut) will collaborate with us to create a sustainable landscape design to minimize the need for outside water inputs, create a foundation for reforestation and agriculture, and leave room for residential quarters, classrooms, and eventually a place of worship.

Planting trees: We will use starts/saplings from native Hawaiian trees such as ulu, ‘iliahi, milo, and kukui, acquired from local nurseries. ‘Iliahi requires a companion plant, and Groasis Waterboxxes have space for two plants, so these can be planted in tandem. The Groasis Waterboxx is low-tech design for sequestering water and slowly releasing it to the saplings. The waterboxxes are filled with water, then a wick releases the water slowly to encourage the plants’ roots to reach for deeper sources. The lid of the box covers the water supply, so there is only minimal loss of water from the reservoir; diverts rainfall into the box; and collects condensation and diverts it into the reservoir. These boxes can be removed after a year and reused 10 times.

Agroforestry is practiced in different regions of Hawai’i and Polynesia, producing food and value-added products. This helps by contributing to communities’ nutritional security and sustained livelihoods, and in developing productive and resilient cropping and grassland environments. Agroforestry systems also enhance ecosystems by storing carbon, preventing deforestation, increasing biodiversity, protecting water resources, and reducing erosion. In addition, when applied strategically, agroforestry enables agricultural lands to withstand the damaging effects of drought and climate change (George Purdy Lanai’ Agroforestry Plan).

Carbon Farming: By implementing these practices along with earth works, water harvesting, and cover cropping, we can engage in carbon farming, which reduces emissions in production processes while increasing production and sequestering carbon in the landscape. This simple process is accomplished by farming in a way that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and captures and holds carbon in vegetati- on and soils—managing land, water, and plants to meet the triple challenge of Landscape Restoration, Climate Change and Food Security (George Purdy Lanai’ Agroforestry Plan).

TECHNOLOGY FOR DRY LAND FORESTRY

The low cost oasis waterboxx plant cocoon

The Waterboxxes have been tested and used in arid desserts and other climates where water supplies are challenged. Documented results can be found here :

We will consult with soil scientists, compost providers, and others to create the perfect combination of compost and microbial amendments (and eventually cover crops) to vitalize, enrich, and nourish the soil and help it maintain the proper amount of moisture.

Once the groundworks (including drilling) are completed, the Groasis systems and trees are acquired, and volunteer tree planters are gathered, we will plant up to 10,000 trees, depending on funding and land availability. The Waterboxxes are reusable every year up to ten times.

Reduced fire risks: Grasses susceptible to wildfires will be eliminated. Firebreaks will be part of the initial groundworks. We will work with a local lead firefighter to reduce all fire risks. Increased carbon sequestration: We will sell carbon credits to help fund maintenance. Each tree will be monitored for size, and software will be utilized to determine how many credits we can sell. Improved watershed: Proper permaculture techniques applied to our land will help the land sequester water and will also improve the viability of neighboring lands. As more of Lahaina’s community is inspired to move in a similar direction, the impact on our watershed will increase. Community empowerment: Those of us who have lived in Lahaina for some time know the tragic impact inaction has created and will continue to create if the community does not act to make a difference. We already have support from students and families of the ABA Class- room clinic, and we continue to invite volunteer agencies and others to make a difference in the spirit of Aloha.

We invite everyone to participate, whether by contributing funds, sharing this fundraiser, planting trees, or offering service or equipment. Our overall monetary goal is $1.8 million for the first phase. A detailed budget follows. Mahalo Nui Loa.

Proposed budget

George Purdy — Lanai Dryland Agroforestry Plan

Equipment and salaries:

2 track skid steers with implements: $200,000

2 X F150 Electric truck with trailer, 1000-gal tank: $140,000

Farm tractor with no-till drill seeder and roller crimper: $100,000

Soil Regen Brewing equipment $100,000

Farm building for equipment, office, & water catchment:$300,000

Security systems $ 50,000

Salaries for one coordinator and 4 stewards $275,000

Water storage tank, 10,000 gal: $ 12,000

Groasis water box, 10,000 units: $100,000

Steep slope harnesses and safety gear $ 20,000

Fencing 100 acres: $240,000

UAS, weather station, and ground moisture sensors: $100,000

Miscellaneous (increases in shipping and supply

costs, and discrepancies): $173,000

Total: $1,800,000