Fungal inoculation pilot to speed dead wood decomposition

Fund an ecologically-grounded method to reduce excess dead woody debris (fire fuel load) by inoculation with ʻōiwi and resident fungi. Experimental plots in two methods of wood inoculation will be monitored for increased decomposition time. This will ultimately reduce woody fire fuel load while enriching the forest floors for future restoration efforts. The project will be done in collaboration with watershed programs and conservation organizations. As methods are refined, the techniques will be spread through educational and mentoring efforts. Goals of these studies include to test which fungi/mixtures will work for introduced tree species (e.g. wattle, Eucalyptus), development of an applicable spray, and trialing these methods in different regions/microclimates of Maui. As the Maui Mycoforestry Project of the Nā Koa Manu Conservation organization refines these techniques, the work will be done with organizations to practice these methods throughout the Hawaiian Islands.