Pacific Flight at Kaupalaoa is a story of survival in the leeward rain shadows of the Kohala Mountains. Historically a native ʻiliahi (sandalwood) forest, this 45-acre site is now being restored into a resilient dry forest sanctuary. In a landscape where water is a precious resource, we utilize an innovative, off-grid solar desalination system to provide the irrigation needed to re-establish native biodiversity. By pairing modern technology with 22 of Hawaiʻi’s most drought-tolerant native species such as the aʻaliʻi and wiliwili, we are learning how to restore one of Hawaiʻi’s most challenging ecosystems.