Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative

Mālama 'Āina Volunteer Day
2025-08-23 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-13 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-27 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-25 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-22 08:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-13 08:00 - 12:00 (Pacific/Honolulu) | Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, North Kona, United States
Volunteer with us in the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve and spend the morning working in the forest preserve. We provide tools, gloves, safety equipment, and water, but please bring sun protection, a refillable water bottle, and sturdy shoes. We meet at the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve front gate at 8am and finish up at the hale for an optional bring-your-own lunch break.
Volunteer Sign-Up

First Friday Huaka’i
2025-09-05 17:00 - 19:00, 2025-10-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, North Kona, United States
Visit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve for a guided hike with our knowledgeable staff. Tours are offered on the First Friday of each month and begin at 5:00 pm at the preserve March through October (4:30 pm November-February) Please come prepared with sturdy shoes, sun protection, and a refillable water bottle. Our tours last about 90 minutes and will end with refreshments at our Hana Hou Hale. You can find directions to the preserve here.

Biocultural Talk Series - Little Biology
2025-09-19 17:30 - 18:30 | Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, North Kona, United States
The Biocultural Talk Story Series fosters engagement with a broader network and invites the public to learn from local conservation practitioners, scientists, and community leaders while promoting the well-being of both people and plant communities. The 2025 talk series is based on “Little Biology” and will include talks about the mini yet mighty and lesser-discussed biology that play big roles in our environments. Talks will feature speakers who carry kuleana in Hawaiʻi and create a space for sharing knowledge and experiences in a supportive community.
Scheduled for the third Friday evening of each month from May – September.
Talks are free and open to the public. Talks will be hosted at the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve from 5:30-6:30pm. Sign-ups are required and donations are encouraged. We will record presentations, so if you can’t make it, be sure to check our website & youtube to catch what you missed.

Mālama ‘Āina Volunteer Day
2025-10-11 08:00 - 12:00 | Waikoloa Stables, 68-1936 Waikoloa Road, Waikoloa, HI, 96743, United States

Nāhelehele Dryland Forest Symposium
2025-11-07 08:30 - 16:30
The Nāhelehele Dryland Forest Symposium will be held at the Waikōloa Beach Marriott on Friday, November 7th from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration will include a full day of exciting presentations and discussions, lunch, and a pau hana reception to extend your networking time.

Wiliwili Festival
2026-02-14 09:00 - 15:00 | Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, North Kona, United States
Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative invites the community to fall in love with Hawaiʻi’s native forests at the 15th Annual Wiliwili Festival, taking place on Saturday, February 14th, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s theme, “Wiliwili LOVE,” celebrates our shared affection for the rare and resilient wiliwili tree with a vibrant celebration of the region’s unique lowland dry forest and its iconic wiliwili tree.
Festival-goers can enjoy a full day of activities across two event locations at both the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve and Waikōloa Stables. Attendees can explore the forest through guided hikes, participate in hands-on workshops, and visit educational booths hosted by local conservation and cultural organizations. The festival will also feature a native plant giveaway, nursery tours, presentations, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities, making it a perfect Valentine’s Day outing for all ages.
Our friends at Hawaii Forest & Trail will offer guided tours of the forest every hour. HFT’s knowledgeable guides have become ambassadors of our forest and helped collect millions of native seeds through their weekly giveback tour visits to the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve. Hiking, exploration, and self-guided tours are encouraged, and docents will be available to help orient guests and answer questions.
Each year, the Wiliwili Festival brings together community members, scientists, educators, and conservation partners to raise awareness about Hawaiʻi’s unique dryland ecosystems and celebrate ongoing restoration efforts. The Wiliwili Love Fest is about more than just our trees; it is also about nurturing the connections between people and place.
About the site: The Wiliwili Festival is held within a natural area with few improvements. Participants will be outside and walking along a gravel road and uneven terrain on hiking trails. Please come prepared with a refillable water bottle, sun protection, and solid footwear.
Parking: Park at the Waikōloa Stables main parking lot and take a complimentary shuttle to the preserve! Limited on-site parking will also be available.
The Wiliwili Festival is made possible through generous community support. Sponsorships and donations help fund this free public event and support ongoing forest restoration throughout the year. To become a festival sponsor or contribute to the cause, visit
https://kokua.waikoloadryforest.org/a/wiliwilifestival2026
Join us this Valentine’s Day to celebrate “Wiliwili LOVE” — a joyful gathering of conservation, culture, and community in the heart of Waikōloa.
Funding provided by Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program

The Wiliwili Festival is also supported by Hawaiʻi Forest & Trail, Hawaiʻi Water Service, Waikōloa Plaza, AES Hawaiʻi, Fairmont Orchid, Makana Incentives, and Queen Construction.
The Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative (WDFI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, promote, and restore native Hawaiian dry forest. Proceeds from the Wiliwili Festival benefit WDFI’s restoration and education programs. Questions can be sent to wdfi@waikoloadryforest.org
