"The public is invited to once again enjoy recreational activities, such as hiking and hunting in these areas, keeping in mind that while the forest is beginning to recover, burned areas are still fragile, and that for safety, it is mandatory that they stay on the trails and roads," Laura H. Thielen, DLNR interim chairperson said in the release.

A wildfire burned more than 2,300 acres in the Kula Forest Reserve between Jan. 23 and Feb. 5, 2007. During the summer DLNR crews and contracted crews have cleared trail and road corridors of burned trees. About 800 downed or fallen hazard trees have been removed, with salvageable lumber earmarked for milling operations. Some wood will be used for classroom beams at a local elementary school.

"Our tasks now are to prepare the landscape for reforestation efforts that will begin in mid-November, weather permitting. The recovery of this cherished forest will take time and the efforts of many people," Thielen said.

Crews are also attempting to mitigate the impact of existing invasive species and stabilize soils prone to erosion by promoting growth of ground cover. In addition, DLNR has hired contractor JBH Fencing to install about 5 miles of fencing along the makai boundaries of Kula Forest Reserve to keep out cattle and goats from lower areas. The previous fence was old, and damaged by the fire.

Foresters plan to reseed 1,500 acres that were the most severely burned and where nature needs a little help to recoup.

Plant test trials for native 'a'ali'i, koa and naio have been encouraging and have not been impacted by feral pigs so far. However, to assure the best chances of survival for the young trees, DLNR's Maui Division of Forestry and Wildlife will be implementing a two-month special feral pig season in September and October 2007 to reduce the wild pig population before reforestation efforts begin in November. Hunt days are Saturday, Sundays and state holidays.

This is in addition to regular game mammal hunting within the Kula Forest Reserve (Units C & E) that also resumes Sept. 1. The bag limit will be one pig per hunter per day, and no season limit. Hunters are required to wear blaze orange. Hunting dogs are not allowed.

DLNR will also begin a special year-long hunt for feral sheep in Kula Forest Reserve, from Sept. 1 to Aug. 30, 2008. Since trespass feral sheep have been reported in the reserve, efforts are needed to remove these animals. Any hunter encountering feral sheep in the reserve will be able to harvest these animals regardless of numbers or sex of sheep on legal game mammal hunting days. Hunt requirements can be found in Hawaii Administrative Rules, Chapter 123 or by calling the DOFAW Maui district office at 984-8100.