Manu o Kū and Trees
November 15, 2025: Hawaiʻi Audubon Society Workshop
Manu o Kū Training for Hands-on Tree Workers at Kapiʻolani Community College
Participants earned a Certificate of Course Completion and 3 CEUs.
- Identifying and understanding Manu o Kū biology and breeding.
- Recognizing cultural importance of the White Tern in Hawaiʻi.
- Understanding legal protections and arborist responsibilities.
- Learning to incorporate online tools into job planning.
- Applying best management practices when trimming near active nests.
- Understanding behavior-defined buffer zones and how to adjust work accordingly.
- Spotting breeding activity from the ground and canopy.
- Responding appropriately to emergencies involving chicks or injured adults.
Funded by a grant from the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and by the Urban & Community Forestry Program of the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Region 5, State and Private Forestry
- Abel Garcia
- Afaese Taliaoa
- Alex Lamipeti (Alatini Landscaping)
- Ari Smith (Kapiʻolani Community College, student)
- Arriana Simpao (Kapiʻolani Community College, student)
- Brian Naley
- Carol Kwan
- Charlotte Bender (Kapiʻolani Community College, student)
- Christopher Alatini (Alatini Landscaping)
- Christopher Buehler
- David Lamipeti (Alatini Landscaping)
- David Nelson
- Dayton McArthur
- Francisco Acoba (Kapiʻolani Community College, faculty)
- Helu Alatini (Alatini Landscaping)
- Hemaloto Alatini (Alatini Landscaping)
- Ilandis Hampton
- Ivan Asato
- James Lee (Kapiʻolani Community College, student)
- Jean Compton (Citizen Forester)
- Jhon Bayawa
- Joel Mendoza
- Jonathan Perry
- Justin Ansagay
- Kaulana Kalohi
- Kelly Furuya (Hui Manu o Kū)
- Larry Stamey (Citizen Forester)
- Malakhi Reynolds
- Marcus Starkey
- Mark Leon
- Michael Mendoza
- Ramona Alatini (Alatini Landscaping)
- Ronnie Huddy
- Sailopa Toki (Alatini Landscaping)
- Sean Kelly
- Tamiano Toki (Alatini Landscaping)
- Tate Jensen
- Tevita Tongotea
- Viliami Tongotea
- Wendy Kuntz (Kapiʻolani Community College, professor)
Learn about Kaulunani and the grant that made it all possible
Kaulunani is the State of Hawaiʻi’s Urban and Community Forestry Program housed within the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
Kaulunani focuses on improving the health and viability of trees in Hawaiʻi’s communities through the implementation of educational programs; supporting Tree City USA communities across the state; providing technical training; administering financial support in the form of cost-share grants via Kaulunani’s Grant Program; supporting Arbor Day Hawaiʻi; and maintaining public/private partnerships.
The Kaulunani Grant program encourages community involvement in creating and supporting long-term and sustained urban and community forestry across Hawai‘i. Kaulunani has awarded grants to hundreds of non-profit groups, schools, community organizations, parks, museums, and arboretums. As of 2023, over $4.6 million dollars has been awarded to over 450 projects through these cost-share grants, which have been matched by over $9 million dollars in cash and in-kind contributions.
This grant opportunity is a part of the “Year of Our Community Forests” campaign. This initiative aims to celebrate, raise awareness, and engage communities around the vital role of our community forests— our trees and green spaces where we live, learn, and play. Different from Kaulunani’s usual tree planting and distribution project funding opportunities, these projects must prioritize education, awareness, and outreach.
