Kepaniwai Park is shown here. Maui County officials are asking for public input as they work to craft an urban forest management plan. Photo courtesy Maui County

Maui County officials are seeking input on a new urban forest management plan that aims to cultivate communities where trees provide food, cultural resources, shade, aquifer recharge, climate resilience and other benefits on the island of Maui.

Once completed, the plan will combine community input with technical expertise to assess current conditions and advance recommendations for policy changes, staffing and budgets, tree planting projects and long-term stewardship, according to the county.

Three in-person events in November will offer more details about He Nohona ʻUlu: Maui’s Community Forest Plan, and a survey is currently available at www.henohonaulu.org.

The survey covers what trees mean to residents, where more trees should be planted and what benefits and concerns should guide the project.

The upcoming pop-up events where people can get more information about the project, talk with planners and also complete the survey will be:

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Arbor Day Garden Expo and Tree Giveaway at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in Kahului.

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 15 during the Maui County Senior Fair at the Queen Kaʻahumanu Center in Kahului

• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15 during Mālama the Trees at University of Hawaiʻi Maui College in Kahului

The county launched the project in May. A draft is anticipated in late 2026, and the final plan is expected in early 2027.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program and the federal Department of Agriculture Urban and Community Forestry are funding the county project.

For more, go to www.henohonaulu.org or email aloha@henohonaulu.org.