What's Being Discussed

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources' Forest Stewardship Advisory Committee is holding a hybrid meeting (in-person in Honolulu and online via Zoom) on August 28, 2026, from 9:00 AM to noon. Key topics include:

• Reviewing applications from private landowners seeking approval for forest stewardship projects on Hawaiʻi Island (O.K. Farms in Hilo and Jill Wagner in Kona)
• Reviewing a management plan extension for an existing forest stewardship project in Volcano, Hawaiʻi (Matsunaga/Conant)
• Reviewing a proposal for the Forest Legacy Program, which protects privately owned forestland — specifically a project in Kealakekua, Hawaiʻi planned for FY2028 federal funding
• Receiving updates on two ongoing Forest Legacy projects in Hana, Maui and Kailua, Oʻahu
• Updates on landowner cost-share payments supporting climate resilience and forest health practices
• A membership change: recognizing departing member Jordan Jokiel and voting on a new applicant, Joseph Imhoff

Decisions Expected

• Votes to recommend approval of two new forest stewardship project proposals
• Vote to extend an existing forest management plan
• Vote to recommend a new committee member (Joseph Imhoff)
• Vote to recommend the Kealakekua Forest Legacy project for federal funding submission
• Approval of March 2026 meeting minutes

Who Should Pay Attention

• Private landowners interested in stewardship funding or forest conservation programs
• Residents concerned about forest preservation and climate resilience on Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island
• Anyone interested in serving on the advisory committee