KAHULUI -- Bert Swink, owner of Maui Masonry and Concrete, has been recognized by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for donating more than $6,300 worth of materials, crew labor and expertise in helping repair the Kula Forest Reserve after a January 2007 wild fire.

Swink was honored for his work on the reconstruction of the roadside barrier at the concrete spillway along Waipoli Road near the reserve's entrance. Repairs at this site were critical to allow reopening of the access into the forest, DLNR officials said

The second award for an outstanding group was presented to the Kahikinui Game and Land Management Ohana, (KGLMO) for service in the trails and access area. This group donated approximately 100 person-hours of labor to reconstruct several headwalls and culverts along Waipoli Road, the access road to the Kula Forest Reserve.

The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program and the Maui Na Ala Hele Advisory Council presented their 2008 community service awards at a ceremony Wednesday at the Maui Forestry baseyard in Kahului, Maui.

The two awards were presented for outstanding community service -- by an individual, and by a group -- whose efforts contributed to the re-opening of the Kula Forest Reserve, after 2,300 acres burned in the 2007 wildfire, and the park was damaged by a severe storm in December 2007.

"We want to recognize and applaud the generous contribution of their time, labor and materials that helped ensure a faster reopening of the Kula Forest reserve to the public, and which allowed our forestry staff to then concentrate on other recovery projects," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

"DLNR encourages all wildland recreational users to help protect the Kula State Forest Reserve as it recovers, by obeying all rules and regulations. This will help to ensure that future generations will also have the opportunity to enjoy this very special forest," said Thielen.

For information on how to partner with the DLNR in a community service project, please contact Torrie L Nohara at (808) 873-3508.