Invasive Plant Remediation
Fire Risk & Erosion Reduction
Fire Risk
Granted the climate and overall environment of Hawaii there is a perpetual risk for brushfires. This is especially challenging due to the layout of regions being so close to natural areas as well as the irregular weather patterns climate change exacerbates. It is a reality which many within Hawaii live with, and Kailua is no exception, being a community in a hilly region surrounded by natural areas. Enchanted Gardens’ most common species, Guinea Grass, has been studied as a fuel source for fires. It can potentially allow for their spread under the right conditions. (Ellsworth, Litton, Dale, Miura 685) Work to reduce the prevalence of this species on site will greatly reduce the risk of fire. Not only does the corrective vegetation of Enchanted Gardens help to dampen the potential for brushfires, but the physical barrier of the site from the adjacent community helps to ensure that local residents are safe. By creating sacrificial berms across the gardens edge, we are able to create a more harmonious relationship with our neighbors.
Invasive Plant Removal & Land Management
The process of identifying, prioritizing and managing invasive plants is the core of the land management strategy for Enchanted Gardens. For nearly a year we’ve experimented with various best practices, which vary radically in effectiveness when put to the test in the field. Much of the conventional knowledge on invasive management is incredibly challenged in such a harsh setting of assumedly 100% invasive, many of which, using thorns and complex root systems, are well adapted to prevent removal. Selecting scalable solutions has not been the easiest practice, and ensuring consistent maintenance is a logistical puzzle to ensure hard work is not lost over time. We will continue to experiment with new best practices and scale the accessible areas of the site as our capacity to coordinate groundskeeping increases and further solutions arise which are sustainable.
