How it works

With the help of Hui Kū Maoli Ola, our tree experts select a variety of native plants that are suitable for various environments and spaces. We then host free native plant drives in communities around Oʻahu where participants come to chat with our tree experts to pick the best plant for their space, learn about native plants and our work, and leave with the knowledge and materials they need to help their plants thrive.

Following the plant drive, we stay in touch with the new plant parents, providing additional information and support and connecting them to our tree experts if they have any questions or concerns about their plants. We work to build relationships with the participants and encourage them to share updates of their plants with us and other participants.

Benefits

Gardening - whatever it looks like for your lifestyle and space - is proven to be good for your mental health and overall well-being and the environment. It doesn’t need to be super involved, it can be as simple as a potted plant next to your window...because let’s face it, a lot of us move from rental to rental and/or live in places without green space.

If you are fortunate to live in a space with a yard, community garden or other green space, planting and caring for native plants and trees - especially in place of imported ornamentals - helps restore native plant cover and slow the spread of invasive plants that displace native species.

And, regardless of where your native plant lives, it helps build awareness—of you, your friends, family and neighbors—of native plant species and that’s a win on its own. If you are lucky enough to be able to plant a tree in your yard, your tree could be around for generations and sequester a lot of carbon.