The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is requesting proposals from conservation or forestry organizations with experience in native habitat restoration and management, to assist in the implementation of its “La’i’?pua Plant Mitigation and Preserve Restoration Plan (LPMPRP)” at its Villages of La’i’?pua community in Kealakehe, Kailua-Kona, North Kona, Hawaii.

Implementation of the LPMPRP (the “project”) will entail the development, restoration and management of parcels (the “Preserves”) containing remnant dry-forest habitat that have been set aside to protect two species of endangered plants; the tree uhiuhi (Caesalpinia kawaiensis) and the shrub aupaka (Isodendrion pyrofolium). The Preserves include four Principal Preserves, approximately 4, 26, 13 and 25 acres in size each, and at least seven mini-preserves ranging in sizes from 0.3 to 1.0 acre each enclosing an individual uhiuhi tree.

In addition to implementing the LPMPRP, restoration and managing the Preserves, the conservation or forestry organization will be providing a site manager who will oversee and supervise the Project, apply for and administer grant funds to support the Project, formulate and execute community relationships, volunteer and educational programs, and work in conjunction with DHHL to assure that the LPMPRP is being implemented in a manner satisfactory to DHHL.

Beginning on Friday, February 27, 2009, compact discs containing the RFP documents (RFP CD) may be obtained from DHHL at its Oahu office at 91-5420 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, Oahu, 96707, or at its West Hawaii District Office at 64-756 Mamalahoa Highway, Kamuela, Hawaii, 96743 (Phone: 887-6053). The RFP may also be examined at the (Oahu) Main DHHL Office in Kapolei.

The RFP CD may also be obtained at a one-day only distribution, at the Nahelehele Dry Forest Symposium, which will be held at the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort on February 27, 2009 only during breaks in the symposium (tentatively from 9:45 a.m.to 10:00 a.m, 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., and 3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m or so). Prospective offerors interested in obtaining a RFP CD at the symposium shall see a representative of either DHHL or its consultant, Leonard Bisel Associates, LLC, who will be attending the symposium.

Prospective Offerors are invited to attend an informational presentation, attendance at which is mandatory, to be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 9:00 am at the Kaniohale Community Center, 74-5100 Haleolono Street, Kealakehe, Kailua-Kona, 96740 to answer questions regarding this solicitation. A brief visit into one of the four Principal Preserves will be conducted following the presentation. Attendance at the informational presentation and site visit shall be required as a condition of DHHL acceptance of proposals.

Proposals for the Project will be received up until 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at either of the following locations:

DHHL reserves the right to cancel this request for proposals and reject any and all proposals when it is in the best interest of DHHL.

Inquiries pertaining to this project may be directed to William Makanui, Project Manager, in writing to DHHL, 91-5420 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, 96707, or by phone at 620-9282, or to email address: william.h.makanui.iii@hawaii.gov.

DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS

Micah A. Kane, Chairman
Hawaiian Homes Commission