Newsletter

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Updates from January - March 2026

April is Native Hawaiian Plant Month and in this newsletter we are talking all about Hawaiian plants. We celebrate everyone who gets excited when they find a healthy native plant in the forest. We are amazed by the wizards who know how to convince seeds to grow into seedlings. We appreciate everyone who gives their time to add native Hawaiian plants back to the forest and to their yards.

Join us, every Third Thursday, volunteer@alohapuukukui.org

Naupaka Kuahiwi

There are two species of Naupaka Kuahiwi found in the mountains.  The one with white flowers is found higher in the mountains and prefers wet forests. The one with yellow flowers is found on ridges and likes hot and dry climates. 

Check out the fun and educational materials about plants at this site from our friends at Laukahi:  

‍ ‍https://huihuaike.org

Scaevola chamissoniana

Scaevola gaudichaudii

Plant Nurseries

We collect local seeds for our restoration projects and then we hand them off to our amazing nursery partners, Maui Native Nursery and Harvest Garden.

Maui Native Nursery does amazing work and has supplied us with thousands of plants this year.  You can buy their plants at Kula True Value.

Thinking about adding Hawaiian plants to your yard? Dave, at Harvest Garden, can help you make a plan and also provide the plants:

https://www.harvestgardenhawaii.com

'Iliahialo'e

Iliahialoe is a coastal sandalwood that loves the climate at Honolua.  It grows into a small tree with delicate sweet smelling flowers.  The seeds are purple berries and our volunteers collected thousands of them this year.   Our nursery partners are growing them and we’ll out plant them next year.

Santalum ellipticum

Volunteer Planting

In the last 3 months, our volunteers helped us plant 1,911 plants. Wow! Mahalo to all of our volunteers who gave their time to help restore the forest.

We give a special mahalo to Santana and her Honolua Conservation Crew who came out and planted three times with us this year.

Maui Nui Botanical Garden

Maui Nui Botanical Garden is a great place to see and learn about Hawaiian plants.  On the First Friday of every month they have Plant Giveaways for Maui residents.  Stop by and pick up a couple for your yard.

https://mnbg.org/mnbg-calendar-new/

We are so grateful for all of the organizations who have been generous in sharing their time and talents:

Merriman’s Kapalua

Trust for Public Land

Nordic PCL Construction

Sentry Insurance

PGA TOUR

Maui Hands

Fluid Handling Representatives Association

Sierra Club of Maui

Mauna Ala Hiking Club

Grand Wailea

Hawai‘i Farmers Union

Hawaii Department of Forestry and Wildlife

North Caroline University

Kamehameha Schools

Maui Lifeguard Association

Andaz Maui at Wailea

Hyatt Regency Maui Ka‘anapali

Westin Maui Resort

Honolua Conservation Crew

Hope to see you out in the forest soon,

-John Meier, President, Aloha Pu‘u Kukui

Read our Fall 2025 Newsletter