KULA (HawaiiNewsNow) - Rebuilding and replanting are the goals of Upcountry Maui as they recover from the August 2023 wildfire, which consumed about two dozen structures.

Invasive trees like wattle, eucalyptus, and conifers fed that blaze.

The Kula Community Watershed Alliance (KCWA) wants to replace those with native vegetation.

They are growing pukiawe, pilo, maile, and aʻaliʻi among others in two nurseries along Haleakala Highway. The hoop houses were donated by the Maui Strong Fund.

SPECIAL SECTION: Maui Wildfires Road to Recovery

Many are just a few inches tall right now but could someday fill the burn zone of Kula.

“There are so many benefits of the native Hawaiian forest,” said Sara Tekula, executive director of KCWA.

“Native trees do a really good job of grabbing water out o

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