Seeds and cuttings were collected from about six species of endangered trees and shrubs and fifteen common species of native trees and shrubs found at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. The seeds were used to propagate 25,005 koa seedlings at the State Tree Nursery and 4,845 non-koa seedlings in the Refuge greenhouse. All seedlings were outplanted within grassland and lightly forested areas of the Refuge that have been degraded by 150 years of cattle grazing prior to Refuge establishment. The trees will eventually provide habitat for the four species of endangered forest birds, the endangered Hawaiian bat and six species of endangered plants found at Hakalau Forest NWR as well as a diverse community of common native plants and animals.

Most of the labor for seed picking and seedling propagation, outplanting and maintenance was provided by members of about 15 volunteer organizations who spent 1-5 days on the Refuge and provided approximately 3,176 hours of effort. Refuge staff provided supervision and direction for the volunteers. The Service also provided onsite housing and, in some cases, transportation to the Refuge, as well as gloves and raingear. Cooperative Conservation Initiative (CCI) funds provided by the Department of the Interior were used to pay the State Tree Nursery to propagate 25,000 koa seedlings ($.40 per seedling) from seed provided by the Refuge. CCI funds were also used for nursery supplies, planting tools, fertilizer, frost protection devices and other supplies.