As the backbone of Hawaiʻi’s native forests and watersheds, covering more than one million acres statewide, and as a foundational element in Hawaiian beliefs and traditional practices, ‘ōhi‘a (Metrosideros polymorpha) is perhaps the most bioculturally important tree species in Hawai‘i. The relationship between Pele, the deity of fire and lava who is both a destroyer and creator of land, with her y
oungest and most cherished sister, Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, a healer and nurturer of new growth, is one of cycles and balance in life. In the natural environment ‘ōhi‘a sprouting on a fresh lava flow is perhaps the most iconic representation of their relationship. When we explain the importance of this relationship in ecological terms ‘ōhi‘a is described as a primary and key element to creating a solid foundation for the eventual development of a complex forest structure. This in turn creates our watershed, prevents erosion and runoff into our streams, reefs and ocean, and provides food and shelter to numerous native plant, animal, and invertebrate species, all of which helps to support healthy, diverse, and balanced ecosystems from which we benefit as people living on this island. It is no wonder then that Hawaiʻi's indigenous culture articulated the sacredness of ʻōhiʻa by embedding it throughout all facets of society. From being regarded as the physical manifestation of several deities and gods in the natural environment, to the utilitarian uses of the wood, to the use of various parts of the plant in medicine, to the role of ʻōhiʻa in society being recorded and documented in moʻolelo (stories), inoa wahipana (place names), oli (chants), mele (songs), hula (dance), and ʻōlelo noʻeau (traditional sayings), the common thread is that ʻōhiʻa is foundational to Hawaiʻi lifeways. The ʻōhiʻa has been steadily disappearing from our landscape due to land-use changes (deforestation and development), invasive species, and more recently, diseases such as the rust, Puccinia psidii, and the vascular wilt fungus, Ceratocystis fimbriata, more commonly referred to as Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD). ROD is becoming a persistent and potentially devastating threat to the health of our forests statewide. In the face of these threats, it is important now more than ever to rally support for the conservation of our ʻōhiʻa forests. Ulu Lehulehu – Million ʻŌhiʻa Initiative grew from the idea of providing pathways, tools, and opportunities for people to learn about, and strengthen or establish relationships with ʻōhiʻa so that they become interested in and concerned about the conservation of our native ʻōhiʻa trees and forests. The hope was that this would fuel community support of not only agency and organization-led conservation and reforestation efforts, but that there would be a strong desire to have ʻōhiʻa in the daily lives of all of Hawaiʻi's citizens through the replanting of ʻōhiʻa in yards, schools, and other public spaces, with the dream of one day having planted one million ʻōhiʻa trees in our urban environment.
