Please help us replant, regreen, and revitalize Lāhainā
The Puʻuhonua Kauluwehi project is supporting cultivation of native plants for replanting Lāhainā by establishing biocultural refuges across Maui Nui. Hawaiʻi has pledged to plant 100 million trees by 2030. However nearly all native plants are currently sourced from wild populations, resulting in a supply chain bottleneck hampering native forest and biocultural restoration projects. There is a critical need for immediate planning, replanting, and reforestation of burn zone areas with indigenous, drought-resistant, fire-mitigating plants. UH Maui College’s model refuge, the Kauluwehi Garden located on its Kahului campus, is supporting much-needed research on native plants, including growth rates, fruiting, seed production, water use, and nutrient requirements. This information will support more effective planning, planting, and care of agroforestry and restoration projects. The larger goal is to accelerate large-scale agroecological resilience, food security, restoration of Maui’s once-thriving watershed ecosystem, especially in Lāhainā. Help us restore the Malu-ulu-o-lele of Lāhainā that once provided much needed breadfruit, kalo, and shade to this area.
