Punahoa Advisory Board formed

At our Annual General Meeting on March 16, the Pūʻā Foundation Board approved formation of the Punahoa Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will assist with providing input and direction on the stewardship of the 1,300 acre forest property on Hawaii Island, Punahoa.

The Punahoa forest property is located near Hilo on Hawaii Island and is traversed by the Saddle Road. It was gifted to the Pūʻā Foundation as part of the apology, redress and reconciliation initiative of the United Church of Christ for its complicity in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian Government.

As stewards to the land, the Pūʻā Foundation will use the Punahoa Advisory Board to help explore what can be done to preserve the heritage of the forest property in the interests of all Hawaiian people. We also feel a sense of urgency and concern over needing to address Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death that is being inflicted on our much-loved ʻŌhiʻa trees. Lean more about Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death.

Hahai no ka ua i ka ululāʻau - Rains always follow the forest, ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #405. The rains are attracted to the forest trees. Knowing this, Hawaiians hewed only the trees that were needed. The kuamoʻo or backbone of Hawaiian forests is the ʻŌhia Lehua. In nature, it is one of the first plants to grow and emerge on the lands that have been blanketed in lava. The explosion of vibrant red flowers amidst the blackened landscape is a magnificent sight to see. This showing of hardiness, ability to thrive, and loveliness represents both strength and beauty. In traditional Hawaiian literature, the lehua is associated with Pele, the powerful goddess of fire, lightning, wind, and volcanoes who makes her home at Halemaʻumaʻu Kilauea Crater. The plant is also the kinolau, or physical manifestation of several other goddesses, Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, Kapo and Laka, deities of the hula. The importance of the ‘Ōhia Lehua ecologically, culturally, locally, and globally is truly immeasurable.