Native Hawaiian students visit oldest and largest ʻōhiʻa lehua tree on Maui for first time in generations

For possibly the first time in generations, Native Hawaiian students had a special opportunity to witness and speak to the oldest and largest known ʻōhiʻa lehua tree on Maui during this past Hālau ‘o Kapikohānaiāmālama (Summer and Extended Learning Program) at Kamehameha Schools Maui.

A group of six high school students and two teachers were guided on a three-mile hike through The Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve near Haleakalā National Park. Members of the group were in awe as they reached the more than 80-foot-tall tree and 108-foot canopy.

“It was very cold, but it was worth it,” said Kaʻanohiulakala “Kimokeo” Puaa, a junior at Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Kekaulike ma Maui. “I’m grateful I got to see Māmā ʻŌhiʻa. I didn’t know I was gonna get to go on such rare hikes. Seeing that made me really proud to be Hawaiian and I’m really happy I took this class.”

Keoki Kanakaokai, The Nature Conservancy natural resource manager on Maui, and field technician Marie Andres guided the class through the forest to reach the tree that could be up to 600 years old. Kanakaokai said he had tried to bring students down the hike in previous summers, but was only able to reach it this year.

The ʻōhiʻa lehua is one of the few recognized Exceptional Trees in the County of Maui, a designation by the State of Hawaiʻi meant to foster preservation. Once the class reached the tree, students led an oli and spoke in Hawaiian.

“Our Māmā ʻŌhiʻa is so special becuase we haven’t had any Hawaiian speaking groups at that tree,” he said. “That kumu lāʻau (tree) has not heard the leo (voice) of our Hawaiian people in generations. I feel like the ʻāina (land) relies on us and our relationship with it, and I think it misses us when we’re not here.”

The excursion was part of the program’s Lāʻau Hawaiʻi course, which used the Honolua ahupuaʻa as a living laboratory, in coordination with The Nature Conservancy and Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve. Students acquainted themselves with plants and their influence on Hawaiian culture and history, plant biogeography and human migration, as well as the design and procedures of plant use in religious, medical and lifestyle traditions.

Peyton Cabudol, a junior at Kamehameha Schools Maui, said she had not planned to take the class and jokingly referred to herself as “more of an inside type of girl.” She said she was surprised to learn more about native and invasive species on Maui and the impacts they have on the environment.

“If I’m being honest, my mom signed me up for this class,” Cabudol said. “But throughout the week it’s been really interesting and eye-opening. I didn’t realize how much was going on with our ecosystem. I’ve never been up here, and it’s really calm and peaceful.

“Seeing that ʻōhiʻa tree I was like, ‘Wow she’s big.’ If we didnʻt have so many invasives, we could see our natives grow more.”

Joseph Braceros, a sophomore at Kamehameha Schools Maui, said he was grateful to the conservancy and his teachers for the opportunity to experience the trip and touch Māmā ʻŌhiʻa. He felt sad, though, about the amount of invasive plants and species in the area.

“I donʻt get to see this much of our island, so it’s almost like a once-in-a-lifetime chance,” Braceros said. “Seeing all the invasives, it’s really bad for our native ecosystem. I would like to try and help out as much as possible to see our natives thrive way more. Getting this ʻike (knowledge) from kumu (teacher) will help me see what I can do.”

Kanakaokai said his goal was to help students better understand the course curriculum, including ethnobotany, by using the “living labratory” of Waikamoi. While students are generally familiar with native varietal crops like kalo and ʻuala cultivated in the wao kanaka, he said the endemic and rare species of plants, like ʻōhāwai and ʻōhelo papa of the wao akua usually require long drives or hikes.

“The main thing I want to see is for these haumāna (students) and kumu to build pilina (relationship) with this place,” Kanakaokai said. “Meet our species, our kumu lāʻau and kumu wai (springs), and recognize them as relatives and sources. I wanted to have something for them to build a foundation on.”

Puaa appreciated the lessons he learned from the trip, including the ecological issues pine trees and other invaders present, and the ability for areas downstream of Waikamoi to receive water due to the invasive trees. He said he plans to “mālama (care for) the ʻāina more, plant more natives and share my knowledge with others.”

“My hope is that we wouldn’t have to walk as far to see natives,” he said. “Our natives would be right here at the entrance. It’s going to take a lot of time and patience, guarantee.”

Cabudol said she is interested in pursuing cosmetology school after graduation, but believed the class “opened her eyes to other careers and opportunities.” She said the trip got her out of her comfort zone and experience “breathtaking moments, literally.”

“I don’t do this kind of stuff, so coming out here I feel much more connected to my culture and my identity as a Hawaiian,” she said. “I am grateful to my mom. Sometimes you just need that nudge.”

Kanakaokai said he was proud and impressed by the group of high school students as well as all the other classes from Hālau ‘o Kapikohānaiāmālama.

“These kids are our future leaders, you can tell just by being around them,” he said. “Not just the charisma, but their manaʻo (thoughts), their ʻike and how they carry themselves. Even those who are not into it, they killed it. For them to go through all of that, it’s really impressive. Even if it doesn’t resonate with them right now, hopefully down the road it will.”