Native plants can teach us how best to mālama mother earth and ourselves

by Kirsten Kagimoto, Communications Manager and Wayne Tanaka, Chapter Director | Reading time: 4.5 minutes

Hawaiʻi’s native plants remind us of our shared kuleana to protect our island home, and the unique living systems and ways of life that have allowed, and may continue to allow, both people and ʻāina to thrive here in Hawaiʻi nei. These species not only play a pivotal role in ensuring Hawaiʻi's climate resilient future but also embody the interconnectedness of ecological health, cultural integrity, and community well-being that make our islands such a truly special place to live. Preserving and restoring native plant species is essential to building a more resilient and livable future for Hawaiʻi, and just as importantly, perpetuating the very soul of our islands, for ourselves and our future generations. This native plant month lets not only celebrate native plants but learn from them as to how we can best to mālama mother earth and ourselves.

Native Hawaiian plants have evolved over millennia to thrive in Hawaiʻi’s unique environment and weather patterns. Similarly, Indigenous perspectives remind us that through kilo, and the intimate, transgenerational knowledge of rains, winds, stars, currents, and all that is connected with and sustains our native life, we can help both people and ʻāina flourish and prosper. 

The adoption of kānaka maoli science, practices, and lifeways, adapted to Hawaiʻi’s diverse climates and informed by centuries, if not millennia of historic weather events, becomes increasingly vital as the climate crisis alters our seasons and environment - and disrupts the dependencies of our modern society on imported goods and extractive, and often destructive economies. 

Many of our native plant species have extensive root systems that combat soil erosion and habitat loss, mitigating the effects of heavy rainfall and storm surges. Similarly, the people of Hawaiʻi remain rooted in our communities—deeply connected to our ʻohana, to our responsibilities, and to our places—with steadfast commitment to the protection of the ʻāina and the lives that depend on it. While our roots may be threatened by societal pressures, they may also be deepened by revitalizing our relationships with ʻāina and each other. Through our outings and service project programs, the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi aims to (re)connect people with our island’s cherished places as well as build a stronger network of like-minded individuals that care for each other and our shared resources.

Water stands as the most precious resource in our islands. It is life giving, it is finite, it is irreplaceable. Just as native plants are adapted to conserve water, Indigenous knowledge emphasizes the significance of responsible water stewardship, reminding us that wai is life itself. Without wai, there is nothing. Wai does not belong to any single individual or entity, wai must be shared by all and protected by all. The protection of wai touches the majority of the work that we do, from protecting Oʻahu’s aquifer from further contamination and restoring East Maui streams to safeguarding critical lands and nearshore waters from careless development and failing infrastructure.

Native Hawaiian forests and ecosystems thrive on the rich diversity of flora and fauna. Biodiversity is key to a healthy ecosystem, with each plant species playing its own unique role in collective health, and ensuring resilience in the face of environmental stressors. Prior to Western colonization, this same strength in diversity was parallelled in social systems where traditional place-based land management and customary practices culminated in bountiful and resilient communities uniquely adapted to the opportunities and needs of their local environment. While many practices are being revived today, returning to and bolstering community-driven and place-based management practices on a much larger scale can make our islands more resilient in the face of the climate crisis and less reliant on tourism and imports for survival. The Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi actively supports kānaka maoli groups dedicated to restoring and implementing traditional land management and cultural practices and ensuring they are a central part of Hawaiʻi’s climate resilient future.

Moreover, Hawaiʻi’s native plants are themselves the very foundation of Kānaka Maoli culture. They are an essential source of traditional practices, ceremony, medicine, and daily life and represent a living connection to ʻāina and ancestors. Many of our plant species exist only here in the islands and it is our responsibility to protect and restore what species remain to honor and preserve Hawaiʻi’s cultural integrity while strengthening community resilience in the face of change. We work tirelessly to safeguard spaces where native plants continue to thrive, participate in the hands-on restoration of native species habitats, mitigate the spread of invasive species, and distribute native plants cost-free to communities across the islands.

We love native plants. We love the ʻāina. We love Hawaiʻi. We love what we do. We are impassioned by the interconnectivity of it all, as well as the connections that we have with members and supporters like you and our partners and allies. This Native Plant and Earth Month we encourage you to join us in a way that is new for you, whether it be by making an online gift to support our work, becoming a monthly supporter, subscribing to receive email updates, joining us in-person at one of the many April events, or volunteering with us. 

Let us be more like our favorite native plants, learning and adapting to our ever-changing environment, rooting ourselves in our communities and places, respecting our most precious water resources, honoring the strength in diversity, and celebrating native plants as the living connection to the ʻāina and our ancestors.