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<\/a>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)<\/p>\nThe Big Island Invasive Species Committee is partnering with the Hawai\u02bbi County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience to host a native wreath-making workshop during the La\u02bbau Love Fest at the West Hawai\u02bbi Civic Center on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The wreath-making is an annual workshop organized through the Committee\u2019s Plant Pono program<\/a>, which is an informative program that helps growers avoid planting invasive species that are still allowed to be sold in Hawai\u02bbi.<\/p>\n Currently, no laws exist in Hawai\u2019i 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis workshop began as a way to teach wreath makers how to celebrate the holidays with native plants\u00a0without\u00a0using \u02bb\u014dhi\u02bba lehua, due to Rapid \u02bb\u014chi\u02bba Death,\u201d said Molly Murphy, invasive plant prevention coordinator with Big Island Invasive Species Committee. \u201cThe idea is to showcase and appreciate other forest plants rather than risk injury to \u02bb\u014dhi\u02bba. It is our way of bringing the forest to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ADARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD<\/p>\n 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 \u02bb\u0101kia, na\u02bbena\u02bbe, k\u016bkaen\u0113n\u0113, \u02bb\u014dhelo, p\u016bkiawe, \u02bbuki, uluhe, and w\u0101wae\u02bbiole.<\/p>\n The workshop also teaches participants how to obtain a collection permit so they can gather sustainably with their \u02bbohana. <\/p>\n While all the slots for both workshops have been reserved, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee has put out a\u00a0blog on making wreaths<\/a>\u00a0and obtaining permits. <\/p>\n The La\u02bbau 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.<\/p>\n ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n \u201cWe have a super fun variety for this event, ranging from \u02bb\u014dhi\u02bba to loulu palms, k\u014d, \u02bb\u0101kulikuli, and more,\u201d said Molly Dolphin, Hawai\u02bbi County Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience. \u201cOur plant reservations and the wreath workshops filled up quickly, but we will still have half of the remaining inventory available to walk-ups.\u201d<\/p>\n This weekend\u2019s plants are coming from \u02bbIli K\u016bpuno and ESP Nursery. There will also be informational booths and representatives from the Waik\u014dloa Dry Forest and K\u014dkua Harvest.<\/p>\n 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 La\u02bbau Love Fest of the year on Dec. 10. <\/p>\n ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD<\/p>\n \u201cWhen 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,\u201d Dolphin said. \u201cWhen 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.\u201d <\/p>\n The final La\u02bbau Love Fest of 2025 will take place during Hawai\u02bbi County\u2019s 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<\/a> for event updates, which will include information on how to register for the workshops and plant reservations.<\/p>\n