Restoring Native Plants

Permaculture (permanent agriculture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems, which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems.

We are slowly exchanging some of the 5 acres of Roseapple forest (invasive species), with Mango, Papaya, Banana, Inga, Mulberry, Sugar apple, Mountain apple, Jaboticaba, and Loquat Trees. Since then we have found, and now nurture, native Awa-Puhi-Kuahiwi, Shampoo Ginger, which is growing along the river and flood plains. It grows in big patches, which is a sign of early habitation of the land. In the old Hawaii, Awa-Puhi-Kuahiwis' flowers were used for hair and body wash, and to quench the thirst. The large knobby, aromatic underground stems were also used to scent Tapa cloth and for medical purposes.