Hawai`i is our home, and a most special place! But we must work to make sure that it will stay that way. Over time, humans have caused a lot of damage to the natural resources of our islands. But just as humans can cause harm, they can also help to repair, preserve, and protect our environment.

Our native plants and animals cannot speak for themselves, but we can help them by practicing the spirit of "malama `aina," which means "to care for the land." And by working together, we can help to bring "lokahi" -- harmony and balance, to Hawai`i.

Here are a few suggestions, but think of other ways in which you can participate in learning about, and becoming involved in conservation efforts.

1. The Federal and State governments are responsible for creating laws regarding land use, and funding for programs. Invite your local representative to speak at your class or school, and let them know that protecting Hawai`i's native species and ecosystems is important to you. Many of our lawmakers are unaware of local environmental concerns. Students can have a very powerful voice in bringing these issues to their attention. Writing letters to legislators is another method of expressing interest and concern.
   
   
2. Be careful not to introduce non-native plants and animals into Hawai`i. When you travel outside of Hawai`i, leave fruits, vegetables, and other plants behind. If friends from abroad send you packages in the mail, ask them not to send plants, fruits, soil, or animals of any kind. Seemingly harmless plants may carry diseases, insects, or other organisms that can damage or destroy Hawai`i's crops and native plants and animals. Even tiny creatures, such as mosquitoes and ants, which are not native to Hawaii, have already caused major problems for our native species.
   
   
3. Keep your pets at home, and do not release them into the wild. Domestic animals can prey on native species, and spread diseases. Watch out for foreign plants and animals, and report sightings of animals that don't belong in Hawai`i (such as snakes, alligators, or animals which are unfamiliar to you). Call the State Department of Agriculture Pest Hotline at 586-7378.
   
   
4. Avoid littering, and encourage others to do so. Plastic six-pack rings and fishing lines can strangle seals, turtles, and seabirds. Ingested plastic can block animals' digestive systems, causing them to starve and die. Keep garbage off our beaches, and out of our oceans and streams.
   
   
5. Learn more about Hawai`i's unique natural heritage and how to preserve it for current and future generations. Participate in nature hikes, and attend talks about the Hawaiian environment. Support conservation organizations that are working to protect native species and ecosystems.
   
   
6. Conserve water. The Board of Water Supply offers classes in xeriscaping, which is cultivating plants that require little water. They also offer information about ways to conserve water. Call them at 527-6113.
   
   
7. Clean your hiking boots, running shoes, and other gear before you enter native forest areas or travel inter-island. Seeds and spores from non-native weeds are easily spread to new areas. Once there, they grow wildly and can overtake native plants. Many weeds now occur only on single islands, and it is important to prevent them from spreading to new areas and other islands.
   
   
8. Gather native plants and other natural materials with great care, or don't gather them at all. If you gather lei materials or other plants, be sure you know what you are gathering and that you are not damaging the plants by over-harvesting or improper handling. Gather only what you need, and only from common abundant species. Do not return a lei to the forest unless all the plants on the lei are from that area.
   
   
9. Encourage your family and friends to use sport vehicles responsibly by staying on marked roads. Native plants are easily destroyed by 4-wheel drive vehicles which are taken off-road or onto steep slopes. Hawai`i's forests are home to thousands of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, and they need these places to survive.
   
   
10. Spread the word. Let people know what a unique place Hawai`i is, and how they can help to preserve and protect the natural beauty of these islands.