landscaping

Life in Hawaii- Palm trees, Beaches, Mai tais and Wild boars

The most interesting and stressful event for most of us who have farms up here in Kahalu’u lately is the massive visitations of wild pigs. I wish a were a gardener because they roto-till the land to perfection. Except that the places they choose are not great spots for a garden!

It’s crazy!

I see big families – Mom, Dad, teenagers and tiny babies roaming at all hours through my yard and macadamia orchard, rooting for grubs and eating the nuts on the ground. I’d rather sell those nuts – since that is the entire point of having a macadamia farm, but these pigs don’t seem to understand the economics of why those nuts are laying on the ground.

A giant boar with a curly tail often comes alone right under my bedroom lanai sliding door and enjoys his breakfast at dawn. Part of me feels frustrated at the invasion, and the other part feels fascinated, and slightly repelled, as I spy on him from my secret hiding place – my hog blind.

A family of 13 pigs visited for a Sunday afternoon snacking session. The older males were testy with the teenagers, and snorted and chased them away from the best rooting spots. One big boar…  well, how can I say this ……. tried to have non-consensual relations with a lady pig and was immediately rejected. He took it quite well, strolling away with his dignity intact. Or so thought! I’m actually a terrible biologist! I make up stories that are probably all wrong.

 

Landscaping Our Hawaii Homes with Native Plants

Why is landscaping our homes with Hawaii native plants so important? 

Did you know that Hawaii is known as the endangered species capital of the world?

It’s a complicated story, one for history books, but here are a few reasons why:

For 200-plus years Hawaii residents have been buying or bringing in non-native plants, animals and insects that have taken over the natural landscape.

Most plants that were here prior to Captain Cook’s arrival were  hosts to native bird or insect species. So many native birds and important insects are endangered or extinct is because their food source or host plant is rare or gone.

Biologists call this “loss of habitat” and we residents are largely responsible for this problem.

Want to do one simple thing that will help Hawaii’s plants, insects and birds survive?

Do I hear yes?

Ok then- Plant a few native species in your yard or land.

See the perfect example of native plants in my woodcut print above, “Rainforest Dance.”  The Kamehameha butterfly lays it’s eggs on the mamaki plant and the caterpillars then voraciously consume leaves until it’s time to make a cocoon. The only plants that will feed the Kamehameha caterpillar are a few natives in the Urticaceae family.  Mamaki is the most common, and is super-easy to grow if you live in a wettish region. Plus,  you’ll be able to harvest some for yourself. Mamaki is an important medicinal tea that combats vog symptoms.

Here’s How to Add Natives to Your Land or Yard:

Instead of going to Walmart to buy pretty plants, visit your local native plant nursery.

List of Hawaii Native Plant Nurseries

People who own these nurseries are passionate about their work and will help you get plants that are right for your environment.

Listen Rick Barboza talk about 5 easy to grown native plants in this University of Hawaii video.

Full disclosure- I’m better at creating native species art than I am in growing actual plants.  Even so, here is my native species catalog for my farm:

  • Lots of Kukui trees
  • 3 ‘Ohi’a trees ( I love them!)
  • Laua’e fern
  • Moi – grasslike plant
  • Awapuhi ginger
  • Ilima – sometimes when it pops up.
  • Loulu palm- highly endangered

So, off you go!

Amble around your yard or land and notice where you’d like to see color and beautiful shapes. Take some photos and then pay a visit to your nearby native plant nursery and ask for landscaping advice.

Two more ways you can help:

  • If you love Hawaii, but have a black thumb like me, you can still help by contributing to conservation organizations that directly save many endangered species through reforestation efforts.Check out Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Kona and the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative. These are great places to visit and learn more about Hawaii’s natural environment.
  • You can support Hawaii artists who focus their work around native species. When you purchase our art you are funding the time and energy it requires for us to tell the story of the life of the land. Hawaii artists invest a huge amount of time and resources researching our subjects so we can inspire and educate people. Many of these artists (like yours truly) donate art to conservation organization fundraisers.  The health of the ‘aina (land) is our passion!  Check out the Hawaii Nei Native Species Art Competition which hosts an art exhibition annually at Wailoa Center. “Rainforest Dance” the original woodcut print above is available through my website: https://andreapro.com/

Our Kuleana

Kuleana is a Hawaiian value and practice which means responsibility. It speaks to reciprocity and our responsibility to what sustains us. I hope my thoughts have given you all some ideas on how we can all give back to the land we love.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me by email: andrea@andreapro.com or give me a call at 808-345-0907 and I’m happy to talk with you.

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