Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) is a disease caused by invasive fungal pathogens. Since the disease was first discovered in 2010, ROD has killed about one million ʻōhiʻa lehua trees that are foundational to the landscape and Hawaiian culture . A current USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC) research project is tracking planted ʻōhiʻa sapling mortality, however, Hawaiʻi has a diverse range of climates, soil types, and vegetation. We plan to partner with various state and federal programs on Hawaiʻi Island that give away or sell ʻōhiʻa seedlings to the public, including the DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources), NPS (National Park Service), and USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service).

‘Ōhi‘a Restoration Projectplans to engage community using Nature’s Notebook to improve tracking rates on planted saplings, increase overall planting of ʻōhiʻa in various private and public climates, and collect data on growth phenology. We will hold community meetings at local nurseries to garner input and train volunteers to track growth rates, and phenology of their trees in different geospatial locations helping community to connect and participate in research and learn about the risks to forest and watershed health, cultural landscapes, and native species persistence.