A 2,300-acre wildfire on Haleakala that destroyed large swaths of pine, redwood and cypress trees this year has provided an unprecedented opportunity to create a big native forest ecosystem from scratch.

The Upper Waiohuli Fire was one of Hawai'i's most destructive in decades. But from the ashes will arise new stands of koa, 'ohi'a, mamane and 'a'ali'i through a newly approved restoration plan.

"I don't believe this has been done, as a direct response to a fire, on this scale before," said Paul Conry, head of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife. "If we have areas that were planted as commercial forests many years ago and we do have an opportunity like this, and if it makes sense and ecologically it looks like it will work out, we will move back toward native forest.

"We're starting from the ground up," Conry said.

It's a tricky proposition, he said, that requires synchronization of clearing, fence and road repairs, and replanting to ensure success.

It's also going to be a race against time to prevent massive erosion and to clear and plant the burned areas before they are claimed by aggressive invasive grasses and weeds. Blackberry already has spread over 300 acres and must be removed, officials said.

"Considering the scale of destruction that occurred, if we do nothing, severe erosion will scar the area for decades and decades," he said.

The DLNR has asked the Legislature for $2.64 million for the restoration program and removal of burned trees and other hazard-mitigation measures.

"It's a very unique and exciting opportunity," state forestry program manager Michael Constantinides said of the project. "We know this area is extremely important to the public and that residents and visitors are fond of the area and are anxious to get back in there. I think they'll be saddened by what they see, but at the same time excited to see what we can bring about with new forested areas providing the same opportunities for people to enjoy."

1,800 ACRES CHARRED

About 1,800 acres at the 6,200-foot elevation were severely burned in the Upper Waiohuli Fire, with little vegetation remaining alive. Roughly 500 acres were less affected and are expected to recover, DLNR officials said. The fire was started by a discarded cigarette butt and burned in the Kula Forest Reserve from Jan. 23 to Feb. 5.

The Kula reserve includes Polipoli Springs State Park, a 10-acre recreational area in the forest's fog belt with a network of trails for hiking and biking. The park is also used by bird and pig hunters.

The DLNR's restoration plan calls for planting 250,000 tree seedlings in the most damaged areas. Sixty-five percent of the 1,800 acres will be planted in native trees and shrubs, with 25 percent planted with redwood, a favorite of those who use the forest for recreation. The remaining 10 percent will be left for grass and shrublands to provide cover and forest openings for wildlife and game.

It is estimated the initial planting — much of which will be done by hand — will be complete in June 2009, with several years more of rodent and weed control, fertilization and supplemental planting to replace dead seedlings, according to the plan.

Between 280 and 300 hazardous trees have been marked for removal along the 13.3 miles of trails, and 6.5 miles of road will have corridors cleared of damaged and fallen trees. DLNR staff and contractors have begun cutting the trees and will create a fire break along the Waipoli access road to assist future firefighting in the steep area.

In locations where it's possible to bring in machinery, brush and woody debris will be chipped to reduce wildfire fuel. In steeper areas, debris will be removed from seedling planting points, according to the restoration plan.

Felled trees are being carted to timber-salvage operations that have been set up by local loggers and woodworkers along the access road. This activity will last about four months, with the lumber to be used for home construction and woodworking, DLNR officials said.

Crews also will repair fences and build new ones to protect seedlings in the reforested area from sheep, deer, pigs and other animals.

ROAD MUST BE FIXED

Extensive repairs of the rugged access road will be necessary because of damage caused by trucks and other heavy equipment used in firefighting, salvage and reforestation. Bulldozers will be brought in for grading and applying gravel, and selected high-impact points will be paved and culverts and other drainage features installed.

The clearing and repairs will be done by DLNR crews and private contractors, officials said.

Because of the danger from falling trees and smoldering hot spots, DLNR closed the Kula Forest Reserve and Polipoli Springs State Park, including the Waipoli access road, to all activities. The areas should reopen by the beginning of July, officials said. At that time, the State Parks Division will resume issuing permits for the cabin at Polipoli Springs.

PATIENCE SOUGHT

DLNR Chairman Peter Young said hunters, hikers, mountain bikers and others have been calling about when they can return to the forest. He asked for the public's patience in waiting until conditions are made safe again.

Young said there have been two recent instances of vandalism at Polipoli: last week's burning of the hunter check-in station and a break-in at the cabin in which someone drove a dirt bike inside the rustic structure.

The Upper Waiohuli Fire also burned up DLNR's remaining budget for wildland fire suppression. Expenses to the state alone were $416,000. Maui County's costs were not available.

The state agency has requested an emergency transfer of $1.84 million from general funds to supplement its depleted firefighting contingency fund for the rest of fiscal year 2007.

Since July 1, state and county firefighters have fought 17 wildfires on four islands, which damaged or destroyed about 18,436 acres.

The National Weather Service has forecast that Hawai'i should expect drier than normal weather this year, which significantly increases the risk of wildfires.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.