“Our first priority is to begin restoration of the native vegetation. There’s a lot of invasive grass, non-native grasses, a lot of cattle, a lot of goats, but that’s what we think is so exciting, the restoration opportunity that is available to us,” she said.

The acquisition effort was led by U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, who initiated a $1.5 million allocation to the Department of Interior in the fiscal 2000 federal budget. By 2003, the James Campbell Estate had agreed to a sale for conservation purposes.

The Hawaii congressional delegation secured $3.3 million in the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund to purchase the property from the successor, James Campbell Co., which followed through on the commitment to allow the purchase of the 4,340 acres. The land is zoned for agricultural and conservation use – and was valued by Maui County at more than $17 million for tax purposes.

“This is truly a testament to public-private partnerships,” Inouye said. “Together we have succeeded in protecting an invaluable asset. With more than half of the world’s population living within 60 miles of a sea coast, it becomes very important to preserve Hawaii’s shorelines; this acquisition will protect more than half a mile of Maui’s precious south coast in perpetuity.”

Campbell Co. Chief Executive Officer Steve MacMillan said the former kamaaina trust endorsed the preservation of the lands that had been held for a century as part of a family trust. The Campbell Estate trust was dissolved last year into a diversified real estate business.

“The land is now open for public use and enjoyment for the first time in more than 100 years, and we are pleased to have been able to play a role in placing this land in the public trust forever,” MacMillan said.

The upper section of the Nuu Ranch lands borders the state’s Kahikinui Forest Reserve, which is already planned for reforestation by the Leeward Haleakala Watershed Partnership. The ahupuaa, or Hawaiian land division, runs from the south ridge of Haleakala Crater between the peaks of Kumuiliahi and Haleakala to the rocky coastline at Apole Point and Lapehu Point.

Botanist Art Medeiros, who is with the federal Biological Resources Division and is involved in native forest restoration efforts along the slopes of Haleakala, said the Nuu Ranch land offers a major opportunity to restore the leeward cloud forests.

“The significance is not only what is there, but what can be there,” he said. “A lot of the upper area is formerly the most diverse ohia-koa forest in Hawaii. Most of it is gone, with the forest stripped away from what had been there.

“There still are a lot of biological treasures in the area, but the greatest dream would be that it would become part of the area protected by the Leeward Haleakala Watershed partnership.”

He said archaeological studies of the leeward coastline from Kaupo to Kanaio indicated there had been a significant population of Hawaiians, which could only have been supported by more water than is now found in the area. But data indicate there had been a massive koa-ohia cloud forest on the upper slopes.

If the cloud forest ecosystem can be restored, it would “restore the functionality of these forests,” he said.

The koa and ohia trees on the upper slopes would “comb moisture” out of the air, he said, with the fog drip contributing to the recharge of the water systems by as much as 30 to 40 inches a year.

Restoration of the native forest could also support recovery of native forest birds, such as the Maui parrotbill and other honeycreepers, he said.

Parris said she is looking forward to working with the watershed partnership to deal with protection of natural resources along the entire slope, eradicate invasive species and begin restoration of both natural resources and significant cultural sites.

“The upper part has some native koa forest and as you come down the slopes, we’ve got some of the wiliwili trees in a dryland forest. We know there’s at least one heiau, but again we will need an archaeological assessment of the whole area,” she said. “It’s going to be a nice restoration project.”

Parris said that the park will not allow hunting on park lands, but will be engaging its staff to control feral goats as it did inside the crater. Fishing along the rocky coastline will be allowed as it is along the Kipahulu section of the park.

Other kinds of public use, including hiking and camping, would be planned on a long-term basis, Parris said.

But the first priority for Haleakala National Park will be to assess the resources and to plan for management. One management issue is already high on her list, she said.

“It’s a real fire-prone area, and we’ve had some pretty big fires on that side,” she said. “We would start with the vegetation, to get rid of the weedy grasses to control the potential for fires.

“We do see some opportunity for visitation, but we’re talking first about restoration of the ecosystem, to bring back the native ecosystem. As far as campgrounds, they would be more of a long-term plan. Our main priority now is to begin restoration,” she said.

Other members of Hawaii’s congressional delegation supported the plans for restoration of native forests and cultural sites.

“This ahupuaa extends from the mountains to the sea and contains the diverse resources Native Hawaiians needed for survival,” said Sen. Daniel Akaka.

“Today, this ahupuaa is important for the preservation of our cultural history and environment, which is truly unique. As a result of this partnership, this special piece of our heritage and aina will be preserved so that it may be experienced by both kamaaina and visitors of Hawaii for generations to come.”

“My congratulations to all who have made it possible to preserve this significant piece of our unique and extraordinary island environment and history,” said Rep. Mazie Hirono, whose 2nd District includes Maui County.

“This is wonderful news for the people of Maui. I am deeply grateful for the support of Hawaii’s congressional delegation, the James Campbell Company and The Conservation Fund.” Mayor Charmaine Tavares said.

“Their action and commitment will protect and preserve a precious area of significance for our future generations and acknowledges the rich history of the place.”

The County Council also supported the acquisition with a 2003 resolution citing the significance of the remnant forests at the upper levels, and the use of the area as a habitat by the endangered Blackburn’s sphinx moth and the Hawaiian hoary bat. The resolution also reported as many as three heiau may be found within the property.