U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai'i, announced that a partnership between the National Park Service and the Maui Invasive Species Committee has raised $1.2 million to protect and restore Haleakala National Park.

The annual National Park Service Centennial Challenge matches federal funds with contributions from park partners. This past year, the Maui committee raised $600,000 from county, state and other sources to earn matching federal money.

Committee manager Teya Penniman said the money will enable the organization "to put boots on the ground" in remote areas to control invasive non-native plants, and bring a Haleakala-based natural science curriculum to Maui's teachers and students.

Last year, the Maui Invasive Species Committee raised $500,000 in the National Park Centennial Challenge.