Two seasons into its unforgiving story arc, ABC's hit series "Lost" has accumulated quite a casualty list, including castaway actors Ian Somerhalder, Maggie Grace, Harold Perrineau, Michelle Rodrigues, and Cynthia Watros.

Add to that some in-the-way trees, plants and brush in Kapena Falls that were cleared during a shoot.

But at least the trees are coming back, even if the actors are not.

That was made clear yesterday when more than 30 volunteers from Friends of Kapena Falls, Outdoor Circle, DLNR, "Lost" and the Navy planted 425 native and Polynesian-introduced plants on the barren hillside.

According to Jackie Ralya, president of Kapolei Outdoor Circle and volunteer coordinator for the Kaulunani forestry program, the erosion of the hill is from a combination of "Lost" filming and the heavy spring rains on O'ahu this year.

The land replenishment comes nearly a year after show executives had promised to repair the hillside that actors and crew trampled during their production at Kapena Falls. The show's producers paid for the plants and an irrigation system, which the Friends installed.

"We give back and leave the area better than we found it," said Jim Triplett, location manager for "Lost."

Triplett was on hand to help in the restoration yesterday. He said it is important for the hit show to keep its word and restore any location it uses because the show wants to continue to use sites around the island.

But while the hillside started to take a lush, green shape in less than an hour, Nessa Vierra, founder of Friends of Kapena Falls, is disappointed it took so long for the restoration to begin.

Vierra and Friends co-founder Kim Wilkinson adopted the area in 2003 after a part of the movie "The Rundown" was shot at the falls.

The Friends, Wilkinson said, take care of the general maintenance of Kapena Falls, cleaning the water, keeping the water flowing, planting trees and clearing the landscape for new trees. The Friends are always looking for volunteers.

The duo feel it's important to preserve the falls so that future generations can share in its beauty and Hawaiian history. The falls used to be the bathing place for Hawaiian kings and queens, Wilkinson said, and is also part of the area in which the Battle of Nu'uanu took place.

Recently, someone sprayed graffiti on a rock with ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs. Wilkinson was grateful that they didn't spray over the petroglyphs, but has asked the government if the group could put up educational plaques so visitors know where they are and the historical importance of the falls.

Yesterday's restoration got an unexpected, and needed, helping hand from 19 Navy sailors who came to O'ahu this week to participate in Rimpac, naval exercises involving eight countries.

The sailors from the USS Denver LPD-9 were looking for a community service project earlier this week and sent out a news release. Their timing was perfect because Ralya just happened to be looking for manpower to plant the trees.

Based out of San Diego, the sailors jumped at the chance to help the community.

"I've seen a lot of plants I haven't seen anywhere else," said Lt. Louis Lee. "It's nice to hear the sound of the stream. I know (the sailors) will go and take a swim later on."

Not all volunteers were young servicemen. June Kaya, 65, of 'Aiea came ready to volunteer in her shirt, shorts and visor after receiving an e-mail from Ralya. The retired teacher recalls visiting the falls as a little girl, and jumped at the opportunity to restore the place.

"As a kid I'd go fishing, swimming, swing on the vines," Kaya said. "It was a big deal to go to Kapena Falls and go swimming."

Reach Brittany Yap at byap@honoluluadvertiser.com.