Protocol of agreement is the set of rules each volunteer agrees to before entering the forest. It is recognition that not only are we entering the forest domain, we are entering privately owned land where the owner and leaseholder have entered into a cooperative agreement to protect and perpetuate this precious dryland native forest. Each volunteer agrees to the following:
- You are in good health.
- You understand this is a fragile environment that needs your respect and kokua.
- You agree not to remove any plants, seeds or materials without permission. The forest technician monitors these and utilizes seeds in restoration efforts.
- You agree not to enter in the future without being accompanied by staff or member of The Dryland Forest Working Group.
- You enter the hot, rough terrain at your own risk and will not hold property owners, volunteers or staff responsible for mishaps.
- You will have guests sign in with the volunteer coordinator to help monitor the restoration efforts. The land leaseholder asks for kokua from Working Group members to schedule and inform the volunteer coordinator of site visit dates and activities.
- You will not smoke. Fire is our greatest threat and invasive fountain grass is tinder just waiting to ignite.
- You will remove all opala or trash.
Big Island Kamehameha Schools Ho`olauna Keauhou volunteers help with the never ending job of weeding. July 15, 2003.
Young Big Island volunteer, Angel DeAguiar tackles fountain grass. July 15, 2003.
Nälei Kahakalau, Kanu O Ka Aina educator and Brian Kiyabu working with students learning to replace invasive weeds with native seedlings. April 2002.
Hannah Springer and Mike Tomich planting kokio between the a`a,
April 2002.
Experiment monitoring effect of 80% shade to suppress fountain grass invasion. 
Hardworking weed-pulling keiki wahine show their stained and seeded gloves. Ho`olauna Keauhou program July 2003
All photos © Yvonne Yarber Carter