Kipuka Pu‘u Huluhulu has always been a place of quiet and peace. A native tree sanctuary on an ancient cinder cone, home to mists and birds, nature trails, a hunter check station — and an occasional human.
As the protest action continues at the base of Mauna Kea and with now hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people currently inhabiting the base of Pu‘u Huluhulu, it’s important to note the potential environmental degradation of this sensitive area.
Since this area is under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, we emphasize the importance of all visitors focusing on good land stewardship. We’re encouraging anyone staying at Pu‘u Huluhulu or transiting through the area to be mindful of not impacting the ‘aina in a negative fashion.
Little fire ants are not currently known to inhabit Pu‘u Huluhulu or any lands adjacent to Mauna Kea Access Road. Ants can be transported in vehicles, vegetation and gear. Please inspect your trucks and cars, tents, tarps, sleeping bags and any other gear brought to the area. Do not bring plants in that could contain ants. While Mauna Kea may not be the ideal habitat for little fire ants, this does not mean they can’t be established there. And there are many other invasive species that are of concern, such as coqui frogs and miconia, often unintentionally but easily spread by people.
We appreciate volunteers standing by at the single “boot-cleaning station” at the trailhead leading to the top of Pu‘u Huluhulu. This is but one step necessary to prevent further spread of the fungal disease known as rapid ‘ohi‘a death, which has already killed hundreds of thousands of ‘ohi‘a trees on Hawaii island. While there aren’t many ‘ohi‘a at Pu‘u Huluhulu we encourage continued vigilance and use of sanitation protocols. Since many people are visiting the area from off-island, this provides an opportunity to educate people about the ways rapid ‘ohi‘a death can spread to unaffected areas.
There also are numerous weed species on Hawaii Island that are not present on other islands. So, as with rapid ‘ohi‘a death, people visiting the area should be mindful of the risk of introducing invasive weeds to other places. We’d like to see people using the sanitation station before and after hiking Pu‘u Huluhulu. The station has a boot brush and alcohol spray for this purpose.
There are risks to endangered plants if you hike off trail. While there doesn’t appear to be any damage to endangered plants so far, we are planning to post signs in areas where off-trail activities have occurred and ask that people respect these closures.
The main trail on Pu‘u Huluhulu has seen record usage over the past two weeks. Large sections of the trail are now eroded and this will create issues during the next significant rainfall. Trail restoration will be required and we hope many volunteers will help in this effort.
Mahalo to those at Pu‘u Huluhulu who have been instrumental in getting the conservation and stewardship message across to visitors and encouraging responsible behavior. Please continue to malama Pu‘u Huluhulu, as it is the kuleana of everyone who visits — for a moment, a day, or a week.
Suzanne Case is chairwoman of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. William Aila Jr. is chairman of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
