ʻOHANA STYLE

(E) Endemic: Plants found only here in Hawaiʻi.

(I) Indigenous: Plants found here in Hawaiʻi, but also in other places around the world.

NATIVE FOREST TREES/CANOPY TREES:

Native Hawaiian trees function as protectors of the smaller trees and shrubs and play an important role in our unique native Hawaiian watersheds. These trees provide canopy to capture rainfall and fog to distribute moisture evenly outward, down through the root system and into our aquifers to provide us with drinking water. They create an entire self-sustaining eco-system within that biota which provides rich nutrient soils and precious habitat for our native birds, insects and other native flora and fauna.

• (E) Koa (Acacia Koa): One of the most valuable wood sources in ancient times; canoes and many hand tools were carved using its beautiful wood. Koa has the ability to fix nitrogen and fertilize the forest. Itss sickled leaves drip water down and around, which also acts as irrigation for the forest.

• (E) ʻOhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha): Known as a pioneer specie, for it is usually the first tree to grow on lava. Its strong taproot can break through blue rock and distribute water to our aquifer. ʻOhiʻa can be found in many forms, from a sprawling shrub to the tallest tree in the forest, hence the species “polymorpha” meaning many forms. It was also a very valuable hardwood with many uses.

SUB-CANOPY/CANOE CROPS:

These medium trees are the second filter of the forest that helps break the fall of water from impacting smaller more vulnerable groundcover and soil. In our ohana style planting, we utilize canoe crops for the same function which also provides food for our land and people. Canoe crops are valuable plants brought by ancient voyages across the ocean for food, shelter, clothing and tools (cordage/rope, basketry, storage, etc.)

• (I) ʻAʻaliʻi (Dodonaea viscosa): The tree that withstands the strongest of winds. Drought tolerant and windbreaker for our smaller native shrubs and trees

• (I) Maiʻa (Banana): Food source, used in imu (underground oven)

• (E) Māmaki (Pipturus albidus): Clothing, medicinal, drank as tea, hand tools

• (I) Kō (Sugarcane) (Saccharum officinarum): Food source, medicinal, thatching, windbreak

• (I) Lāʻī (Ti Leaf): Cultural and traditional uses, medicinal, storage, lei, clothing

UNDERSTORY:

These plants include ground covers such as ferns and mosses. The understory, or groundcovers, play an important role in protecting the soil and acting as living mulch that holds and distributes water in wet or dry times. They also provide a vast eco-system for our microorganisms and micro-flora and fauna.

• (I) Kalo (Colocasia esculenta): Most respected and valuable food source in ancient times and now; main staple food

• (I) Kupukupu (Nephrolepis cordifolia): Lei making, kūpeʻe (wristlet and anklets) and haku (head lei)

• (I) Palapalai (Microlepia strigosa var. strigosa): Lei making, used culturally and traditionally in Hula

• (I) Maile (Alyxia stellata): Highly prized for lei making, used culturally and traditionally in Hula. Also used in bird catching