“Polynesian-Agroforestry”

“Poly-Forestry” is a unique method of reforestation developed by the ‘Ohana Hewahewa, which fuses Hawaiian indigenous farming techniques and knowledge with modern day tools and technologies. This method is biodiverse with dense planting done in a successional way. It incorporates Native Hawaiian canoe crops, such as kalo (taro), mai’a (banana), kō (sugarcane), with Native Hawaiian forest trees such as koa (Acacia koa) and ‘ohi’a (Metrosideros polymorpha). Together these plants create an “‘Ohana Style” effect, which is the mindset and value system of ‘Ohana Hewahewa when farming and managing lands, staff and operations.

The important idea of family style planting is having family together, to take on the challenges and successes of life. When plants, animals and humans alike are in their younger stages of growth, they are very susceptible and vulnerable to pests and predators. Planting in a successional method, such as planting the fast-growing hardier plants simultaneously with the slower, fragile plants, allows the hardier plants to provide quick protection from wind and pests.

Mahalo Maui Huliau Foundation. We were honored to have had Maui Huliau and their brilliant humāna (students) from their Filmmaking Club, document Kanu Ka ʻIke and express the manaʻo and importance of ʻIke ʻĀina. We hope you enjoy this well made video of their virtual huakaʻi!