Field Programs, Research & Community Engagement
KCFC’s ongoing fieldwork integrates ecological observation, native forest regeneration, watershed monitoring, fungal network documentation, and community-based stewardship within a living montane cloud forest system on Hawaiʻi Island.
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) Surveillance & Forest Health Monitoring
Current efforts are informed in part through ongoing educational engagement with Dr. J.B. Friday and Hawaiʻi Island ROD outreach initiatives.
Fog Water Capture Feasibility Study
(FogQuest-Aligned)
Evaluation of fog collection systems for cloud water interception and potential community application
(methodologies provided by Robert S. Schemenauer).
Fungal Network & Decomposition Dynamics Monitoring
Documentation of mycorrhizal presence, fungal fruiting cycles, decomposition activity, and post-storm nutrient cycling processes.
Active Projects
Acacia Koa Seedling Establishment & Recruitment Monitoring
Multi-site tracking of natural and assisted regeneration across elevation and microhabitat gradients.
Perimeter Protection & Invasive Species Pressure Mitigation
Infrastructure development and monitoring aimed at reducing ungulate intrusion and invasive species impacts.
Phenology Tracking (Flowering, Fruiting, Growth Cycles)
Time-series observation of plant reproductive cycles, seasonal shifts, and climate-responsive growth patterns.
Onsite Acacia Koa Nursery & Community Distribution Pilot
Small-scale propagation supporting restoration efforts and future community distribution of native plant species.
Baseline Biodiversity Inventory & Ecological Documentation
Systematic cataloging of flora, fungi, avian activity, and ecological interactions to establish a long-term observational dataset.
Community Nourishment & Herbal Stewardship Initiative "Pay It Forward Community Tea Basket"
A community stewardship project featuring locally sourced foods, herbal teas, books, and wellness resources shared through a pass-it-forward model that encourages connection, reciprocity, and community resilience.