The following are a few conservation issues that are currently of great concern in Hawaii. Although there are many problems and factors that are endangering Hawaii's ecosystems, these topics have been provided to share an overview of some of the critical issues Hawaii’s environment stewards’ face.

Invasive plants
Invasive plants are defined as any plants brought to Hawaii by humans either on purpose or by accident that out-compete native plants for resources and habitat. Invasive plants do this in a number of ways including: aggressive growth that shades out native plants, dispersal of many more seeds than native plants (thus dominating the seed bank), and some invasive plants, actually inject toxins into the ground that kill the surrounding plants.

There are many ways that invasive plants have a negative impact on the environment but also on our everyday lives. For instance when invasive plants such as Miconia becomes monotypic (the only plant present) in a particular area there is a chance that whole hillsides will erode off in heavy rains because the Miconia roots are shallow and do not hold the earth. This actually has occurred in Tahiti. This is a devastating problem because of the large scale erosion caused and the damaging impact on our watershed. Hawaii’s aquifers absorb drinking water when the forests are healthy. When we lose these forests due to erosion or to canopies that destroys the under story vegetation the amount of water getting to our underground aquifers decreases. In time this is disastrous, we could be using more water than is being replaced, leading to a lack of drinking water in the future.

Invasive Animals
Invasive animals pose another major threat to Hawaii’s environment. Some of Hawaii’s invasive animals include: pigs, goats, sheep, rats, wild cats, wild dogs, frogs, and chameleons. Each one of these animals has a negative impact on the environment. Rats, cats and dogs all prey on native birds, while frogs and chameleons prey on insects, some of which are native

One of Hawaii’s worst invasive animals is the pig. It up roots native plants leaving a wallow where rain collects. Mosquitoes then breed in these wallows. Mosquitoes carry a disease called avian malaria that most of the time is fatal for native birds. A by-product of the pig’s destruction of the rainforest is erosion. When heavy rain falls in the rainforest, which it often does, the areas that have been rooted out by the pigs will flow into the stream and then down into the ocean. The earth that has come down from the mountain acts like a red cloud smothering the reef and preventing sunlight penetration. This kills the reef and many other sea creatures. This damage can be spotted in many areas of the state including the Westside of Kauai and the Southside of Molokai. Truly what happens in the rainforest on the top of mountains will be felt all the way to ocean.

Watershed
Watershed is the area of land that catches rain and allows it to drain or seep into a marsh, stream, lake, river, and groundwater. Watersheds in Hawaii are characterized by forested areas thus the Hawaiian proverb “Hahai no ka ua i ka ulula’au,” meaning the rain always follows the forest. Studies have shown that deforestation causes a decrease in rainfall in these areas. Protection of our watershed is vital to all life in Hawaii.

Watershed Partnerships
Watershed Partnerships have been set up in Hawaii as a way to protect diminishing watersheds. Partnerships are made up of public and private agencies, here are just a few: Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Board of Water Supply, Kamehameha Schools, U.S Army, and Hawaiian Homelands.

There are many benefits in joining a watershed partnership. One of the most important benefits is solidarity between partners. By joining a watershed partnership, a more concerted effort can be made to address problems such as fire hazards, invasive species as well as other concerns that a single land owner might find daunting to accomplish individually. Money in the form of private and public grants is available for landowners who want to become part of a watershed partnership.

To become a member of a partnership all one has to do is sign a memorandum of understanding with the other members of the partnership. Members are free to leave the partnership at anytime.

Other funding for conservation work on private lands can also be gained from Fish and Wildlife Service. For a list of funding opportunities one can log onto the Fish and Wildlife Service website.

Education
Education at first glance does not seem to have a lot in common with conservation, but it is one of the most important aspects of conservation in the present day. A community that is educated about native plants and animals will be more aware of the threats to the native ecosystems, and may be more willing to take a proactive approach in dealing with conservation issues. Education encourages people to take responsibility and action.

Conservation agencies in Hawaii including state, federal, and private non-profit agencies, rely on volunteer support to get work done. If public awareness is raised about the environment, and ways to get involved are provided, more of the public would get involved.

Educating the youth and public about environmental issues of today will have a long term impact. The youth today will be the future tomorrow and it’s important that the work that is being done today will continue in the future. Youth will be the decision makers and voters of tomorrow and will face many tough problems such as draught and water use, depletion of fisheries, waste disposal, erosion, and invasive species. It is important that knowledge gained today is passed to the youth so they can make responsible decisions in the future.