Volunteers will plant 1,300 naupaka on the mauka side of Diamond Head on Saturday to replace a slew of bushes that have died off.

The newly formed Diamond Head State Monument Foundation, which has spearheaded the naupaka replanting, also is looking at other ways to green up the state's most visible landmark.

The naupaka on the mauka side of Diamond Head started dying off last year when an irrigation system was damaged by a rockslide and, later, a traffic accident.

Clark Hatch, president of the Diamond Head foundation, said the system recently was repaired for $28,000 with a donation from the East Diamond Head Association.

Crews have been pulling out dozens of dead naupaka to make way for the planting. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is providing the plants Saturday.

Hatch said his organization decided to take on the project after hearing from neighbors concerned about the naupaka.

He said "it's a tragedy" the plants died off but he is optimistic the landmark will be green again.

"The appearance of this particular stretch of road is particularly important to residents ... as well as visitors," he said.

Hatch said in addition to looking nice, the naupaka reduce the chance of landslides and rockfalls, and also act as fire breaks.

The original naupaka was planted about a decade ago by volunteers with the Friends of Diamond Head. The group had agreed to maintain the area in perpetuity, but Hatch said they were unable to after the irrigation system broke.

The planting Saturday will extend along Diamond Head Road from Beach Road to across from the surfers' park.

Hatch said more plantings also are planned elsewhere, including near the Muriel Flanders rest area. He said Boy Scouts will be helping to plant the naupaka Saturday. But, he added, more volunteers are needed.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.