Hala is a much-loved plant by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and lauhala weavers, yet native coastal forests of hala are now considered rare in Hawai'i. Research on climate resilience indicates that hala has the potential to mitigate storm surges and act as a barrier between salt spray and crops growing near the shoreline. To provide opportunities for natural and cultural resource managers and practitioners on Hawai'i Island, more information is needed about hala's species diversity distribution, role in ecosystems, and ongoing preservation efforts across the island, as well as hala's historical and current uses as food, medicine, natural fibers and oils.
This project will bring together experts to research, co-learn, and explore cultural, economic, social, and ecological aspects of hala and its relevance for climate resilience. Experts include scientists, researchers, natural and cultural resource managers, cultural practitioners, educators, students, and artists, all of whom have relationships with hala. Through co-learning sessions over 24 months, the project team will respectfully engage with several hala groves on the island which are being preserved and/or reforested.
Anticipated outcomes from this project include: 1) maps of hala groves on Hawai'i Island, including information about threats and opportunities for reforestation; 2) a report consolidating the knowledge systems, methods, and practices of hala stewardship, reforestation and preservation, and sustainable use of hala products; 3) multimedia outputs highlighting hala's potential role in climate resilience and cultural, economic, social, and ecological (re)generation; and 4) an emergent collaboration with potential for future projects.
