The 
Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge is a non-profit organization devoted to helping the Refuge achieve is mission of conserving the flora and fauna of Hawaii by:
- Fostering public understanding, enjoyment, and conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the Hakalau Forest National Wildife Refuge and its surrounding ecosystems;
- Providing volunteer assistance on important Refuge projects;
- Working with elected officials in support of the Refuge mission, and
- Raising funds to help support the purposes and goals of the Refuge.
Please Help! The Roof is Leaking!
Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge (FOHF) is seeking $13,300 from our membership, local businesses, volunteer groups, and refuge supporters to replace the roof of the Volunteer Cabin at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge.
Since its construction in 1986, the cabin has housed crews who have:
- Planted half a million native and endangered trees
- Propagated 200,000 native and endangered plants in the refuge greenhouse
- Removed and controlled of many acres of invasive weeds such as banana poka, gorse, and blackberry
- Maintained and repaired refuge facilities
About 40 volunteer crews are housed in the cabin each year for one or more nights. Volunteers have provided 5,000 hours of effort worth about $78,000 for each of the past 15+ years! The refuge is a long, rough drive from the populated areas of the Big Island so most volunteer groups spend at least one night.
The thriving volunteer program has played a huge role in helping conserve and restore the native birds, plants, and animals of the refuge through provision of free labor and valuable support for refuge actions. Please help that program continue by contributing toward a new roof to keep the Volunteer Cabin dry and comfortable for our hardworking volunteers. Make checks payable to: Friends of Hakalau Forest NWR and write "Volunteer Cabin Roof" on the memo line. Contributions are tax deductible. Mail checks to: FOHF, P.O. Box 6065, Hilo, HI 96720 USA. We hope to be able to raise enough money to replace the roof by fall 2012. If you have questions please contact us by email.
The original 288 sq. ft. cabin and porch were built in 1986 by staff from Kilauea Point NWR on Kauai. It was the first structure built at Hakalau Forest NWR after the refuge was established in 1985. The north wing, which added a small bunk room and bathroom, and the larger west wing, whichadded two double-bunk rooms and a large 8-person bunk room, were constructed by Hakalau Forest staff in the 1990’s to bringthe total floor space to its current 832 sq. ft.
The original cabin was used to house and support refuge staff, volunteer crews, researchers, and contractors. The first addition provided more space and comfort for refuge staff who used the cabin primarily during the week, and volunteers who used the cabin on weekends. The second addition gave space for even more volunteers and private rooms for refuge staff who, by then, were living in the cabin for the entire workweek. In 2004, a separate residence was built for the growing refuge staff and the Volunteer Cabin, as it then became known, was given over to volunteers, who appreciate the chance of a hot shower and working kitchen after a long day in the field.
Download our flyer for the project!
Lines of young koa trees extend the forests into the upper pastures. Photo by J. B. Friday. Title bar photos by Jack Jeffrey.