Holiday decorators can explore new wreath-making techniques while learning about Hawaiʻi Island’s native plants during a workshop Saturday in Kailua-Kona.

Lindsey and Olive Duggan make wreaths out of native plants together during a workshop with the Big Island Invasive Species Committee in Nov. 23, 2023. (File photo: Kelsey Walling)

The Big Island Invasive Species Committee is partnering with the Hawaiʻi County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience to host a native wreath-making workshop during the Laʻau Love Fest at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center on Saturday.

The wreath-making is an annual workshop organized through the Committee’s Plant Pono program, which is an informative program that helps growers avoid planting invasive species that are still allowed to be sold in Hawaiʻi.

Currently, no laws exist in Hawai’i regarding the sale of invasive species. Some of the plants and seeds that are commonly sold and grown can escape cultivation and invade natural areas where they outcompete and replace native plants. 

“This workshop began as a way to teach wreath makers how to celebrate the holidays with native plants without using ʻōhiʻa lehua, due to Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death,” said Molly Murphy, invasive plant prevention coordinator with Big Island Invasive Species Committee. “The idea is to showcase and appreciate other forest plants rather than risk injury to ʻōhiʻa. It is our way of bringing the forest to the community.”

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Instructors will guide participants in crafting beautiful wreaths using a variety of locally sourced native plants, while sharing their cultural and ecological importance. The wreaths will be made from native plants such as ʻākia, naʻenaʻe, kūkaenēnē, ʻōhelo, pūkiawe, ʻuki, uluhe, and wāwaeʻiole.

The workshop also teaches participants how to obtain a collection permit so they can gather sustainably with their ʻohana.

While all the slots for both workshops have been reserved, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee has put out a blog on making wreaths and obtaining permits.

The Laʻau Love Fest is a free community event offering native and food plant adoptions to encourage residents to grow species that support healthy ecosystems and biodiversity while fostering community stewardship and long-term resilience.

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Each household may adopt up to two free plants, with both reservation and first-come, first-served options available. All plants are sourced from a Plant Pono-certified local nursery, ensuring they are free of invasive pests such as little fire ants. They also come with a simple care guide and resources to lear more about native species.

“We have a super fun variety for this event, ranging from ʻōhiʻa to loulu palms, kō, ʻākulikuli, and more,” said Molly Dolphin, Hawaiʻi County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience. “Our plant reservations and the wreath workshops filled up quickly, but we will still have half of the remaining inventory available to walk-ups.”

This weekend’s plants are coming from ʻIli Kūpuno and ESP Nursery. There will also be informational booths and representatives from the Waikōloa Dry Forest and Kōkua Harvest.

With help from additional funding, the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience will have over 600 native, canoe and food plants on hand during the final Laʻau Love Fest of the year on Dec. 10.

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“When we think about long-term resilience, it truly comes down to cultivating a stronger relationship with place through native species and increasing our capacity to grow our own food, reducing reliance on imports,” Dolphin said. “When launching this pilot project, our goal was to give away 1,500 plants between September and December. We are now on track to distribute over 2,000 by the end of the year.”

The final Laʻau Love Fest of 2025 will take place during Hawaiʻi County’s Magic of the Season event in Hilo from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. Residents can sign up online for event updates, which will include information on how to register for the workshops and plant reservations.