Our Mission
Malama O Puna is a Hawai‘i non-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) volunteer service organization which focuses on the environment. Our mission is to assure critical habitat for native species and open space for future generations through environmental education, hands-on projects, advocacy, watch-dogging and land trusting. Please browse our website to learn more about what we do and like us on Facebook to receive announcements about our upcoming events!
Memorial for Rene Siracusa (May 3, 1938 to June 29, 2020)
Please join us for a Celebration of Life for Rene Siracusa, founder and long time president of Malama O Puna who passed last year. June 29, 4:00-6:30pm at MOP facility three doors down from the 7-11 in Pahoa town.
You can honor Rene by participating in a GoFundMe campaign to benefit Malama O Puna GoFundMe Campaign
MOP’s 1st Garden Tour – Transitioning to
Urban Garden & Permaculture Demo Site:
Tours on Sunday, May 30 at either 12:30pm or 2:00pm – Pls RSVP by email or phone:
Malamaopuna@yahoo.com or (808) 965-2000
Winner of MOP’s SY 2020-21 Science Contest on Biocontrol of Invasives:
1st Place Winner Jacob Markoff
Malama O Puna is pleased to announce the winner of its Science Contest “How to Develop and Apply Biological Control for Miconia Calvescens in Hawai’i”. Jacob Markoff, a tenth grade student at the Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences, submitted a narrated slide presentation that provided the history of biocontrols, anecdotal observations on attempting to control this invasive species physically, and a description of the State of Hawaii’s procedures in developing a biocontrol for miconia – the Miconia Butterfly. Jacob won first place along with a cash prize of $500. The State has conducted an environmental assessment on the Miconia Butterfly and anticipates release by the end of 2021. This biocontrol, which has been vigorously researched and tested, will help to control and reduce the spread of this highly aggressive invasive plant species. Malama O Puna hopes to continue this program in the next school year. Funding for this project was provided by County of Hawaii Councilmember Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder.
MOP VIRTUAL Annual Member Meeting
Sunday, May 23rd at 2:00PM
Please click the link above to join us for the Virtual Annual Member Meeting on Zoom
Guest speaker is Franny Brewer of Big Island Invasive Species. There will be a President’s Report, Financial Report and Board Elections at this meeting. We hope to announce winners of our recent Science Contest for local high school students on biocontrol measures for controlling Miconia. Please join us!!
Zoom Link
Fruit Tree Planter’s Foundation Support for Tree Planting Partners – Restoration of Puna’s Lower Elevation Forests
Link to Video
Latest in Hawaii’s Efforts on Biocontrol
Link to Video
News
On August 9, we held a virtual meeting on “MOP in a time of transition.” Read about it and view presentations.
Malama O Puna recently finished up a Miconia eradication project focusing in 2 locations near Pahoa: the ‘Ginger Patch’ on Post Office Rd and along Ka’ohe Homesteads Rd. See more
Malama O Puna is helping the community recover from the 2018 lava flow. The Tribune-Herald wrote about one of our projects, helping residents get grant money to reopen roads to their properties.
- Puna Kai Drive-Thru Halloween - We'll be at Puna Kai on Halloween from 4-6PM with masks and sanitizer paid for thru the Federal CARES Act. Event brought to you courtesy of the Office of Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder, County Councilmember District 5. Click through to see the full poster.
- Mask & Sanitizer Give-Away - Provided from Federal CARES Act funding through the Office of Councilmember Matt Kaneali'i-Kleinfelder. We will be giving out free Kuleana masks and hand sanitizer from Malama O Puna facility Monday Sept 28 at 2:30pm until 4:00pm and Tuesday Sept. 29 at 2:00pm until 4:00pm. If you can't make those times, please call 965-2000 to set up more pick up times later this week.
- Malama O Puna Assists in Distributing Masks and Sanitizers in Puna under COVID 19 CARES Funding - Keeping healthy and safe during this pandemic is of great concern to all individuals and businesses on the Big Island...
- Support us when you shop on Amazon - Malama O Puna always supports buying local first, however, if you're shopping on Amazon anyway, you can make a donation to us at no additional cost!
On hold
Films For Change series
Join us the second Thursday of each month at 6 PM for a free film screening followed by casual discussion.
Free popcorn! Optional: bring food for yourself or to share.
On hold due to pandemic
Visit Us In Pāhoa
On hold due to pandemic
Stop in at our office in Pāhoa to use our Environmental Resource Center or just to say hi!
