KAILUA-KONA — Konawaena High School senior Kainani Reeves-Bachman has a burning fire for propagating native species. That passion led to her planting four lama trees within the Palamanui campus for her senior STEM project.

Before Reeves-Bachman began planting the trees with help from Palamanui graduate Juanita Thompson, E Kalani Flores, professor of Hawaiian lifestyles, explained the significance of the tree to the area and offered a pule for the project.

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Palamanui, meaning large lama enclosure, was once a bountiful home for lama trees in the area where the community college campus sits.

The tree had been used for medicine, and its wood used in heiau and construction. It is related to the persimmon tree and produces a similar fruit.

“The word lama means lamp or torch,” said Flores.

He went on to explain it also extends to include the meaning enlightenment and knowledge, which ties into the naming of the campus.

Palamanui lecturer Dr. Richard Stevens said new evidence points to the trees living to be 2,000 years old.

“Some of the oldest trees may have been here when the first canoes arrived,” mused Stevens.

A smattering of older kupuna trees surround the campus. As the trees were planted, Flores said they will eventually become the kupuna and propagate a new generation of keiki.

“The trees we are planting today are starting out on a journey that could last 2,000 years,” he said.

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The seeds for the four trees planted on the campus were provided by the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife, coming from Puu Waawaa Dry forest.

“It truly is a magical tree,” Stevens said.