Volunteers sought to help restore Hawaiian rain forest

Help malama the Hawaiian rain forest at the summit of Kilauea volcano and volunteer for Stewardship at the Summit programs in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park through December.

Stewardship at the Summit begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon. The dates are Oct 20 and 26; Nov. 2, 17, 24 and 28; and Dec. 7, 15 and 22. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate. However, park entrance fees apply.

Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing.

Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at 8:45 a.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center on any of the above dates. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided.

Visit www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm for additional planning details.

Countless Himalayan ginger, faya, Australian tree fern, strawberry guava and other invasive, non-native plants that threaten the native understory near the summit of Kilauea have been removed. In their place, once-shaded ‘ohi‘a trees, ‘ama‘u and hapu‘u tree ferns have re-emerged, and pa‘iniu, kawa‘u and other important native plants are returning to the stewardship plots.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park provides refuge for more than 50 threatened and endangered species, which include honu‘ea (hawksbill turtle), nene (Hawaiian goose), ‘ua‘u (Hawaiian petrel), ‘io (Hawaiian hawk), and the Ka‘u silversword.