For additional information, visit www.hawaii.gov/dlnr to read “The Rain Follows the Forest: A Plan to Replenish Hawaii’s Source of Water,” which was released by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in November.
Join Jason Scott Lee as he sets out on a journey to learn about sustainable island life in “The Rain Follows the Forest,” a half-hour television special produced by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources which debuts at 6:30 p.m. Thursday on KGMB.
DLNR Director William Aila Jr. explained that the show is part of the department’s focus on ecosystem management to protect fresh water resources throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Subsequent airdates include the following: 4:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday on KGMB; 6:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, on KHNL; 6 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, on KHNL, and throughout February on “Outside Hawaii” on OC16.
In introducing the show, the popular Hawaii actor and environmentalist says: “It’s so easy to get caught up in our modern world. Easy to forget where you came from. And then you look at the world and realize that things are kinda out of control.
“I left Hollywood 15 years ago. I came home to Hawaii to remember what life is about. My name is Jason Scott Lee, and I live in the rain forest.”
Hawaii’s water supplies are under threat from hotter and drier conditions from climate change, as well as loss of watershed forests.
What will the islands look like in 50 years if we don’t change the way we live?
That’s what Lee asks as he sets off on his educational journey across the state to find the answers for himself and everyone else in Hawaii.
The show illustrates the importance of watershed protection and restoration.
Through interesting conversations, Lee learns about Hawaii’s fragile fresh water supply and discovers connections to the upland forest environment.
He shares ways in which Hawaii residents can contribute to protecting the state’s watersheds.
One of the conversations is with Aila, who said, “I think about my grandchildren all the time and the challenges that they are going to face. The worst-case scenario is that our watersheds are depleted and the source of fresh water diminishes.
“Fresh water is really important for us; it’s important to every ecosystem, from the top of the mountain even into the ocean,” said Aila.
“Join Jason Scott Lee as he learns about our watersheds and how they provide nearly all of our fresh water in Hawaii.”
DLNR has launched a facebook page which has been following the production of the television special.
Follow DLNR at www.facebook.com/HawaiiDLNR to see selected images and keep up to date with DLNR news.
For additional information, visit www.hawaii.gov/dlnr to read “The Rain Follows the Forest: A Plan to Replenish Hawaii’s Source of Water,” which was released by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in November.