Hui Kū Maoli Ola and partners kicked off the He'eia stream project phase 4 back in April with an all-day opening ceremony. The ceremony took place to acknowledge ourselves to the space and to recognize the Kupuna that dwell there. It also transitions the space to a place of activity and work and adds protection to the space and the people that come through. The ceremony honors Akua, Kupuna, and ourselves.
So far about two acres of mangrove have been cleared. Mangrove is an invasive plant species that creates habitat for non-native species while displacing diminishing habitat for native species. By cutting and clearing the mangrove we are allowing fresh water and salt water to flow properly in the estuary, recreating a more appropriate habitat for native biota. In addition to clearing the mangrove, native Hawaiian plants will be installed to help control erosion on the stream banks.
This project is not only an ecological restoration but also a community restoration. We are engaging the community on a volunteer level and also creating more recreational space. The clearing phase should take one more month, and the overall project is estimated to be complete in three months.
Josh Branco, the project manager, describes the clearing phase as a “very daunting and difficult task because of the density of the mangrove”. Even though their working conditions are wet, muddy, and humid, Josh describes the work as “very rewarding”. He always wanted to see the ocean from the road on the bridge and is happy to be a part of it. “There’s instant gratification. We’re working in an 800 year-old fish pond and transforming land back to ‘aina”.
Hui Kū Maoli Ola would like to recognize our partners in this project: Hui o Ko‘olaupoko, Paepae o Heʻeia, Papahana Kuaola, Kamaʻaina Kids, the Department of Health Clean Water Branch, EPA, and the community volunteers for all their hard work.
If you are interested in volunteering, Papahana Kualoa, Hui o Ko‘olaupoko, and Paepae o Heʻeia all have community work days happening this summer! Please visit their website for more information on how you can get involved.
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Jesse likes eating pickles with popcorn. His favorite native plant is Koki‘o ke‘oke‘o. “This one is the prettiest of them all” because the flowers “really stand out on the plant”. Its flowers are one-fifth the size of its more common relative, making it ideal for those who want to wear a flower behind their ear.
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ʻŌhai is an endemic endangered shrub. All forms are registered as the same species and all are listed as endangered. Young leaves also have shiny, golden hairs on the surface, an evolutionary adaptation to help reflect the sun so that they don’t dry out. The hairy texture of the leaves is called tomentos. The flowers of ohai are often strung into a lei, either front to back, side to side (facing forward, keel down) or with the keel of the flowers alternating up and down.
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Like most native coastal plants, ʻŌhai does best in extremely hot and dry situations, especially with sea spray. The plant’s nectarine-like fragrance is emitted from the leaves, and not the flowers. The plant’s fragrance becomes intensified when it’s hot and sunny, and does not smell when it’s overcast or at night. Try not to overwater; although the plant will respond well at first, but it will literally crash and die shortly after from the roots being unable to support the new growth up top. You want to encourage the plant to grow as slow as possible.
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Win the #PlantoftheMonth by sharing your native Hawaiian plant pics! To enter, tag @huikumaoliola or #huikumaoliola with a picture of yourself (and/or friends) with a native Hawaiian plant(s) on Instagram or Twitter. Two lucky winners will each get one #PlantoftheMonth and their pictures featured. So get out there and be creative in your yard, a park, or on a trail! Please make sure your profile is public so we can find you!
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Upcoming Events & Announcements
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2015 Farm Fair Plant Sale!
Our native Hawaiian plants will be available for purchase at the 2015 Hawaii State Farm Fair out at Kualoa Ranch on Saturday July 11th from 9am-8pm and Sunday July 12th from 9am to 5pm. Hui Ku Maoli Ola staff will not be there but find our plants in the plant section and remember to plant native! Admission is $5 for adults and keiki and students are free.
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Hui Kū Maoli Ola just finished installing three different types of kalo at Disney's Aulani Resort. Come check out the three tiered display located in the front of the resort!
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