(From L to R: Senator Donovan Dela Cruz; First Deputy Guy Kaulukukui, Dept. of Land & Natural Resources; and Marigold Zoll, Division of Forestry & Wildlife, at the summit of Mt. Kaala discussing watershed protection.)
The Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) was established to preserve and manage Hawaii's natural resources. The system presently consists of 20 reserves on five islands, encompassing 123,431 acres of the State's most unique ecosystems, many of which occur nowhere else in the world. On Oahu's Mt. Kaala, rare native plants and animals, like the critically endangered Oahu Tree Snail, or kahuli, cling to existence in an ancient Hawaiian forest near the misty summit.
Currently, these fragile ecosystems are under attack. Invasive pests wreak havoc on our native forest which has dire consequences if left unchecked. Due to extensive budget cuts to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), NARS must rely on the Federal government and an extensive volunteer group to assist in management projects that include the removal of feral ungulates and non-native weeds.
Senator Dela Cruz believes that the State must make a solid commitment to ensure that our native forests will be around for now and in the future. Understanding the important role that native forests play in our State's water resources and economy, Senator Dela Cruz has dedicated his efforts to seek stable funding for the preservation of special places like Mt. Kaala for future generations.