The project focuses on 1,200 of the 12,138 acres of former cattle pasture within the Kahuku Unit, acquired as part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in 2003. Kahuku sits on the southern slopes of Mauna Loa and holds a dynamic history of volcanic and human activity. In the last 150 years, Kahuku was grazed by cattle and cleared of forest understory. Most of the original native forest has been replaced by a savanna of scattered ‘ōhi‘a and koa trees and non-native pasture grass. Bands of native forest exist on the dry western edge of the pastures, while montane rain forest spans the wet eastern margin of the pastures. A broad range of diverse environments exist between these two extremes. Since 2004, the park has committed substantial resources to constructing boundary fences and excluding non-native ungulates. These introduced animals are the primary threat to native plant communities and wildlife. With these efforts, as well as those to remove select invasive vegetation, some native vegetation has recovered. However, increasing temperatures, drought frequency, and drought magnitude complicate recovery.