Coastal Restoration
Bellows Air Force Station, Hawaii

The common ironwood is an invasive species found throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Once established, it's extremely aggressive, densely rooted, and freely self-seeds in disturbed areas. It can inhibit the growth of native species by forming dense stands that smother its competitors under a heavy blanket of needle-like litter. Ironwood forests cover approximately 32 acres at BAFS, including the coastal strand where the plants inhibit dune restoration. AERC removed portions of ironwoods along the coast and replaced them with more than 35,000 locally sourced and propagated native plants, including aki, morning glory, and apaka. These native species catch and hold the sand, providing a strong, natural barrier against the tide without constructing artificial barriers.

As part of this project, AERC staff surveyed and removed invasive ironwood trees, restored the coastal region of base by planting indigenous species which capture sand, and provided Bellows Air Force Base managers with a comprehensive guide to protect their coastline from erosion.