Saving the ‘Ohi’a One Mile at a Time
Sara Stover for Neighbors of West Maui
Last July, residents and visitors alike celebrated the arts and culture of the town of Volcano on Hawai’i Island at the first annual Experience Volcano Festival.
Nestled in the heart of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, the festival offered a taste of everything Volcano over the course of two days. Among the highlights of the weekend were 'ono food, live music, and wine tasting.
For Volcano resident and race director Keely McGhee, the highlight was seeing winners of the ‘Ohi’a Lehua Run walk away with healthy ‘o’hia saplings to raise, and a deeper understanding of this sacred tree’s importance to the culture and ecosystem of Hawai’i.
“The trees were from Kim Dillman of Big Island Plants. She is amazing and made such a huge effort to get us baby 'ohi'a for the race!” exclaims Keely. “For me, it was such a special thing to be able to bring the race full circle and give the 'ohi'a saplings as awards.”
Hardy enough to be the first tree species to colonize lava flows, the red-blossomed 'ōhi'a is a dominant tree in Hawai’i’s landscape. Historically, native 'ōhi'a was used to make musical instruments, farmers' tools, and warriors’ weapons. Today, 'ōhi'a plays a critical role in the ecosystem, holding the forest together.
Contributing to the recharge of groundwater, healthy air quality, and wildlife habitat, 'ōhi'a are vital to the overall health of Hawai’i’s ecosystem. But in 2014, it was discovered that an invasive fungus, Rapid ‘Ohi’a Death (ROD or Metrosideros polymorpha), was starting to kill ‘ōhi’a on Hawai’i Island.
The tree species is responsible for transforming uninhabitable lava fields into thriving, thick forests. With the death of forest after forest of ‘ōhi’a, however, came a threat to the covey of native animals and plants that the forests support.
As of the summer of 2018, it was reported that hundreds of thousands of ‘ōhiʻa trees had died from this fungus on the island of Hawai’i alone. Since then, the blight has spread, threatening countless more ʻōhiʻa on the islands of Kauaʻi, Maui, and Oʻahu and potentially causing considerable ecosystem disturbances that could negatively affect watersheds, natural resources, cultural traditions, and quality of life.
For Hawai’i Island, ROD’s destructive forces just piled insult onto injury. The lower Puna eruption of Kīlauea that began in May of 2018 resulted in evacuations, destroyed houses and roads, 24 injuries, and at least $800 million in property damage.
And the bad news just kept flowing. Two weeks after the eruption began, Volcano’s iconic Rainforest Half Marathon announced that it had closed the books after nine years running.
Photo courtesy of Mikey Brown Photography
Rising from the Ashes
Living just blocks away from the extinct half marathon’s finish line, and miles away from land destroyed by lava and forests threatened by ROD, Keely and Adam McGhee realized that something needed to be done.
As runners, the couple began to consider dates and start the process of reviving a Volcano race that would become an event for athletes near and far to look forward to. The McGhee’s teamed up with friends and fellow runners Kelly and Nick Murigan to plot out a new course, and use some of the profits from the newly revived half-marathon to fight ROD.
“Volcano’s Rainforest Half Marathon was one of the favorites, as the climate and environment are so different from Kona and Hilo,” says Kelly. “When runners found out that the past race director was no longer putting on the annual races, many were disappointed. That’s when we got together and brainstormed how we could keep it going."
The Ohi’a Lehua race was designed to be a part of the inaugural Experience Volcano Festival, an event intended to showcase Volcano Village as more than just a gateway to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, but also a community brimming with culture in and of itself.
“The businesses in Volcano were hit hard by the eruption,” Nick explains. “By putting on this event, we bring runners and spectators to the community."
Held in late July of 2019, the inaugural Ohi’a Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and keiki run were a huge success, proving the tenacity of the race and the town as both rose from the ashes. For 2019, $1200 of race profits were donated to organizations active in preventing ROD. And winners of the race were presented a young ‘ohi’a tree of their own to care for, a tradition that will continue in 2020.
“To be able to give the baby trees as awards and to hear that those trees are still thriving one year later is the best awareness and preservation of the 'Ohi'a that we could have ever asked for,” says Keely.
Photo courtesy of Mikey Brown Photography
Racing for a Cause
The Ohi’a Lehua race was created to be a platform for spreading awareness about ROD and will continue to educate the community on how to preserve these precious 'ohi'a trees. Participants can run through a stunning 'ohi'a forest during the 2020 race, a potent reminder of what we stand to lose and why ROD prevention is so critical.
The fungal disease continues to attack and kill ʻōhiʻa across Hawai’i by clogging trees vascular systems, depriving the canopies of water. Individual branches or entire canopies of dead, attached brown leaves are an indication of infected ‘ōhi’a. Although signs of the fungus may not be visible on the outside of the tree, its sapwood may have dark, unusual staining and a fruity odor.
Currently, there is no cure for ROD, but there is still much that can be done to save Hawai’i’s 'ohi'a and restore areas that have been hit by the disease. Don’t transport ʻōhiʻa inter-island, or move ʻōhiʻa wood or ʻōhiʻa parts, even on your own property. And always clean tools, gear, clothes, and shoes before and after entering forests
A percent of the 2020 Ohi’a Lehua Run’s profits will again go to organizations active in the fight against ROD, offering a unique and fun opportunity for athletes and their families to take a stand for the forests. To be held on Saturday, July 25th, the second annual Ohi’a Lehua race will feature a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and keiki dash.
For more information, visit www.ohialehuahalf.com.
