Protect preserve hawai i (PPH) proposes a 2-year habitat restoration project within a 24-acre ungulate exclosure in PIA valley (NIU watershed, east honolulu) to restore crtically endangered lowland…

Protect & Preserve Hawaii Inc. received a $124,999 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (CFDA 15.631), effective October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027. The organization will execute a two-year habitat restoration project within a 24-acre ungulate exclosure in Pia Valley (Niu Watershed, East Honolulu) to restore critically endangered lowland mesic dry forest ecosystem. Key deliverables include removal of invasive plant species (haole koa, Christmas berry, and grasses) across 3 acres cumulatively; installation of 3,000 drought-tolerant native woody species including lonomea and kou to restore historical forest structure; interplanting native groundcovers to improve soil health and reduce erosion; and implementation of rat trapping trials using 10 Good Nature traps per acre to protect avian populations from predation.

The project will provide direct conservation benefits to two federally protected species—the Oahu elepaio and the culturally significant manu-o-ku—through habitat enhancement and predator management. Additionally, Protect & Preserve Hawaii Inc. will conduct bi-annual bird occupancy and vegetation recovery monitoring and engage approximately 8,000 community followers and local nurseries to expand native plant propagation capacity and establish co-stewardship practices. This cooperative agreement aligns with the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program's mission to deliver cost-effective, partnership-driven habitat restoration on private lands that benefits federal trust species.

Protect preserve hawai i (PPH) proposes a 2-year habitat restoration project within a 24-acre ungulate exclosure in PIA valley (NIU watershed, east honolulu) to restore crtically endangered lowland mesic dry forest, support federally endangered o AHU elepaio (chasiempis ibidis) and culturally vital manu-o-k (gygis alba), through native reforestation. Building on PPH s success in community-drive restoration since 2018, the project will: remove invasive plants: clear 1.5 acres year (total 3 acres) of haole KOA (leucaena leucocephala), christmas berry (schinus terebinthifolius), and grasses to reduce competition with native plants. Plant native plants: install 3,000 drought-tolerant woody species e.g., lonomea (sapindus oahuensis), KOU (cordia subcordata) and to restore historical dry-forest structure. Improve soil health: interplant native groundcovers EG. Carex wahuensis and iliee (plumbago zeylanica) to reduce erosion and improve moisture retention. Conduct predator control: implement RAT trapping trials (10 good nature A24 traps acre) to protect avian populations, paired with BI-annual monitoring of bird occupancy and vegetation recovery. Engage 8,000 community followers and local nurseries to expand propagation capacity and CO-stewardship.