HONOLULU (AP) - The Nature Conservancy says it’s received a gift of South Kona forest land that has never been cleared or grazed.
The nonprofit organization said Tuesday retired Honolulu physician Dr. Charman Akina donated the 37 acres.
The Nature Conservancy plans to manage the parcel as part of an 8,000-acre forest preserve that’s nearby.
Akina also plans to donate a second parcel of 135 acres. This land will connect the 37-acre parcel to the conservancy’s Kona Hema Preserve.
Akina says he first became interested in the parcels in the early 1970s when the land was being subdivided for development.
The 81-year-old says he wanted to save it from the bulldozer.
The area is home to native birds including iiwi, apapane, elepaio and amakihi.
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