You're invited to help remove invasive plant species from the Hawaiian rainforest at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park/NPS

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is seeking volunteers to help remove invasive vegetation from the Hawaiian rainforest at the summit of Kīlauea volcano.

The Stewardship at the Summit program begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon. The dates are: October 20 and 26; November 2, 17, 24 and 28; and December 7, 15 and 22. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply.

Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. on any of the above dates. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. You can find more details about the program at this website.

Countless Himalayan ginger, faya, Australian tree fern, strawberry guava, and other invasive, non-native plants that threaten the native understory near the summit of Kīlauea volcano have been removed. In their place, once-shaded ‘ōhi‘a trees, ‘ama‘u and hāpu‘u tree ferns have re-emerged, and pa‘iniu, kāwa‘u, and other important native plants are returning to the stewardship plots.