HUA MOMONA FARMS, MAUI — May 23, 2025

Treecovery Hawai‘i, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ecological restoration and cultural preservation, hosted a cultural tree planting event this past weekend in collaboration with the staff of Olukai Whaler’s Village, the lifestyle footwear brand known for its strong ties to Hawaiian heritage. The event took place at Treecovery Hawaii tree grow hub farm, located on the lower portion of the 25-acre Hua Momona Farms, and served as a hands-on educational experience that blended traditional land stewardship with Native Hawaiian cultural practice.

The day began with a Hawaiian oli (chant) and blessing, performed by cultural practitioner Duane, to set the spiritual tone and acknowledge the importance of mālama ʻāina—caring for the land.

Staff from OluKai Whaler’s Village joined Treecovery co-founders Matt and Duane in potting native Hawaiian trees and planting plumeria and coconut palms throughout the property. The educational component of the day included a discussion on the historical and cultural significance of coconuts in Hawai‘i. Participants learned about the reproductive biology of coconut trees and methods used to encourage female-dominant trees, which are known for producing more fruit.

To conclude the day, volunteers applied traditional Hawaiian salt around the newly planted areas to suppress invasive weeds—an ancient, sustainable technique still used today.

This collaborative effort is part of Treecovery’s broader mission to engage the community in reforestation and climate resilience efforts while honoring Indigenous knowledge and practices.For more information on Treecovery’s upcoming events and how to get involved, visit www.treecoveryhawaii.org. To learn more about OluKai’s commitment to Hawaiian culture and community, visit www.olukai.com.