As Fire Season Begins, Kula Residents Take Bold Action to Remove Invasive Wattle
Kula Community Watershed Alliance Launches “Wipe Out Wattle” Project to Reduce Fire Risk and Restore Watershed Health in the Kula Fire Burn Zone
Wipe Out Wattle Contractor Removing Wattle Regrowing in the Burned Area Alongside a KCWA Restoration “Kīpuka” Along Pūlehu Gulch
The Kula Community Watershed Alliance (KCWA) has officially launched its Wipe Out Wattle project—a strategic, community-powered effort to remove invasive, fire-prone species and restore ecological resilience to lands impacted by the 2023 Kula Fire. This phase of the project targets 15 acres of steep gulch terrain bordering 46 burned properties, where thick stands of invasive hardwoods once dominated and where black wattle is now regrowing aggressively. The project launch is timed with the onset of Maui’s dry season, when rising temperatures and parched landscapes significantly increase wildfire risk.
Funded through a combination of federal, state, and private sources—along with key local partnerships—Wipe Out Wattle targets the systematic removal of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle), a fast-spreading, fire-adapted tree introduced to the Kula Forest Reserve in the late 1800s. The project prioritizes steep gulch areas too hazardous for volunteer crews, utilizing certified, insured contractors equipped with fall-protection systems and trained in erosion-sensitive, best-practice land stewardship.
“Wipe Out Wattle is part of our long-standing four-step land restoration strategy, built in direct response to what our community has asked for,” said Sara Tekula, Executive Director of KCWA. “Those steps are: stabilize, protect, restore, and maintain. Removing invasive fire fuels both stabilizes and maintains the land with wildfire mitigation in mind. As fire season returns to Maui, we’re here to protect people, property, and place. By targeting aggressive fuels like wattle, we reduce future wildfire risk and prepare this watershed to regenerate with native species.”
Before (Left) and After (Right) Images Showing the Impacts of the Program on a Burned Property in the Kulalani Neighborhood
KCWA was founded in August 2023 by 40 landowners and tenants directly impacted by the Kula Fire, united by a shared commitment to fully restore lands previously dominated by black wattle—an invasive species native to southeastern Australia that dehydrates the land, suppresses native plant growth, and proliferates after fire. It was the dominant tree in many of the undeveloped areas that burned in August 2023 and played a significant role in fueling the fire.
“From the beginning, our founding members—all fire survivors—were adamant that we not allow the wattle to return,” Tekula said. “There was a powerful belief that another way forward was possible. Wipe Out Wattle is the result of that determination and fulfills KCWA’s promise to convert this landscape to one that’s more resilient and safer for our communities.”
Key funders for this effort include the U.S. Forest Service’s Wildland Urban Interface Grant Program (administered by the Hawaiʻi Division of Forestry and Wildlife), Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization, and HydroFlask, the sustainability-focused company known for its reusable bottles and commitment to grassroots environmental action.
KCWA’s project planning process has been strategic, inclusive, and data-informed. This implementation phase focuses on approximately 120 acres of burned wattle forest. Since early May, Wipe Out Wattle project managers and interns have conducted site visits with over 30 landowners in the priority zone, with additional properties under review for future phases. While some areas are receiving support through the NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, managed by the Central Maui Soil and Water Conservation District, Wipe Out Wattle fills in critical gaps—addressing high-risk zones not covered by other programs.
Young Wattle Saplings Being Hauled Away for Processing Into Mulch
As part of the project’s implementation, removed wattle trees will be mulched and spread in native restoration zones to prevent erosion, retain soil moisture, and suppress regrowth of invasive species. Community volunteer opportunities and educational events will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We’re proud to stand with our neighbors in this next chapter of fire recovery,” Tekula added. “Wipe Out Wattle is not just about removing a tree—it’s about restoring balance.”
In addition to invasive species removal and native planting site preparation, KCWA has also secured and is installing deer-proof fencing across fire-impacted properties and recently completed the construction of two 1,440-square-foot hoop houses to grow thousands of site-appropriate native plants for outplanting. Throughout all phases, KCWA continues to work closely with landowners to reflect their unique needs and values in the restoration process.
“This careful, customized approach to stewardship takes time and attention to detail,” said Tekula. “But the outcomes we can achieve by working together in this way are truly lasting—and this is what local resilience is all about. From the day we were founded in August 2023, we knew we were in it for the long haul. We’ve paced ourselves accordingly and are deeply grateful to everyone who has volunteered, joined our board, or contributed resources to help fulfill our shared mission: to care for this watershed, together.”
To learn more or get involved, visit kulacommunitywatershed.org or follow KCWA on Instagram at @kulacommunitywatershed.
