(?O??kala and Honolulu, Hawai?i) The Hawai‘i Forest Institute (HFI), in partnership with the Hawai?i Forest Industry Association, recently launched its MAHALO ??INA: Give Back to the Forest Initiative to gain support for the protection and perpetuation of Hawai?i's forest resources.
Starting this month and continuing for 26 weeks, Hawai?i Public Radio (HPR) airs the Mahalo ??ina radio series to broaden community awareness about the importance of perpetuating Hawai‘i’s forests.
"Protection of Hawai‘i’s forest ecosystems is all of our kuleana. It is important to recognize the environmental, social/cultural, and economic value of our island forests. Today's wise ecosystem management and stewardship will help ensure our forests for future generations," said Hawai?i Forest Institute Executive Director Heather Simmons.
The HPR Mahalo ??ina radio series began May 4th and runs for 13 weeks through July 31st, every Monday through Friday at 8:18 a.m. on HPR-1. An encore airing will run on HPR-2 for a second 13 weeks beginning August 3rd and running through October 30th.
"We pursued a partnership with HPR because of the station’s statewide reach and the general quality of its listeners. The forests we need to protect and perpetuate, as well as the individuals and groups already taking care of the ?ina are located on all of the islands. We wanted to be sure that this idea of ‘giving back to the forest’ was heard by a geographically diverse audience, and one that is deeply interested in matters of science and the environment," said Simmons.
Michael Titterton, President and General Manager of HPR, added "We are always on the lookout for collaborations with local nonprofits that enrich our sense of this shared place. We’re delighted to have found that in the Mahalo ?ina project. And we’re thoroughly enjoying adding radio’s unique storytelling capabilities to bring the forests to life for our listeners."
The 65 Hawai?i Public Radio episodes include these subjects: the MAHALO ??INA Initiative, Plant Extinction Prevention Program, Fountain Grass, Palila, Wild Fires, Watershed, Invasive Species, Hoary Bat, Local Christmas Trees, Ohi?a Fungus, Koa Forest, Silversword, Hawaiian Hibiscus, ?Ohi?a ?Elepaio, Io – Hawaiian Hawk, ?Alal? – The Hawaiian Crow, Citizen Stewardship, Dryland Forest Restoration, Pollinators, Pueo, Hakalau, ?I?iwi, Sandalwood, Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, Hawai?i Public Seed Initiative, Ka?? Preserve, Native Seed Bank, Kaua?i Coqui, and other topics.
The 90-second vignettes for radio are hosted and written by science communications and education specialist Christopher Phillips. His work focuses on scientific issues affecting society in the 21st century and has been featured in such diverse fields as astronomy, climate change, and technological development.
The Mahalo ??ina episodes are archived on Hawai?i Public Radio’s website. The sound files are posted after airing at www.hawaiipublicradio.org/mahaloaina.
Project sponsors are Atherton Family Foundation, County of Hawai?i Department of Research & Development, DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Hawai?i Forest Industry Association, Hawai?i Forest Institute, Hawai?i Public Radio, Kamehameha Schools, and State of Hawai?i Department of Agriculture.
About the Hawai?i Forest Institute
HFI is a 501c3 nonprofit organization formed by the Hawai?i Forest Industry Association in 2003. HFI's mission is to promote the health and productivity of Hawai?i's forests through forest management, educational programs, information dissemination, and support for scientific research.
About the MAHALO ??INA: Give Back to the Forest Initiative
Contributions and participation in the MAHALO ??INA: Give Back to the Forest Initiative help support seed collection, storage and propagation; planting and long-term care of seedlings; site maintenance; and educational programs. In addition to planting trees, the initiative is helping to support total ecosystem management, provide forest stewardship opportunities and environmental and cultural education.
The MAHALO ??INA: Give Back to the Forest Initiative will initially benefit these projects on Hawai?i Island, O?ahu, Maui, and Kaua?i: Hawai?i Island Native Seed Bank, Honolulu Zoo Children’s Discovery Forest, ??ina Mauna Christmas Tree Demonstration Project, Kaloko Makai Dryland Forest Preserve, Kap?pala Canoe Forest, Ka??p?lehu Dryland Forest, Keauhou Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest, Kua O Ka L? Public Charter School, La‘i?pua Dryland Habitat Preserve, Hawaii’s Woodshow, Hawaii Wood Guild, P?lamanui Dry Forest Preserve, Honokohau National Historical Park & Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau Restoration, Pana?ewa Zoo Discovery Forest, K?ke?e Forest Reserve and Maui Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest.
Visit the MAHALO ‘?INA: Give Back to the Forest webpage to learn more.
