June 21 – Summer Solstice Planting Event

Summer Solstice in Keauʻohana was special this June with the addition of 50 beautiful ekaha (bird’s nest ferns) generously donated by Jennifer Perry, alongside a selection of native plants from Koaʻe Native Plant Nursery donated by Ann Kobsa, as is our tradition, and some special contributions from Mala La’au Hawai’i!

Jennifer and her husband began farming longan, lychee, and citrus in Kapoho as early as 1974. Today, Jennifer continues to steward what has grown into 24 acres of productive agricultural land. A couple of years ago, Jennifer contacted Hawaiʻi Environmental Restoration (HER) in search of new homes for the many ekaha thriving on her longan trees. While these ferns flourish in the orchard’s rich canopy, they can make fruit harvesting more challenging. This summer marked our second opportunity to rescue and relocate these beautiful native ferns, giving them a chance to flourish once again in their natural forest habitat. We were delighted to collect these magnificent plants beneath the shade of the longan trees—and equally delighted to enjoy a taste of their sweet fruit.

With 15 volunteers and several of HER crew members, a total of 168 plants were established in the ground on the first day of summer, supported by timely June rains that created ideal planting conditions.

What also made this event especially memorable was the energy and connection among participants. Many volunteers are engaged in restoration work of their own, and the day was filled with meaningful exchange around native species, stewardship, and shared challenges and successes. A strong sense of ʻohana and mutual learning was felt throughout the planting.

Mahalo to everyone who joined us in restoring Keauʻohana. Each plant and each connection strengthens the resilience of Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems and the communities committed to caring for them.