Kaʻū News Briefs Monday, Nov. 13, 2023

Many native seedlings were given away at Arbor  Day event. Photo from Master Gardeners

AN ARBOR DAY GIVEAWAY IN OCEAN VIEW enabled about 300 trees and plant varieties to find homes on Saturday. Hosted by West Hawai'i Master Gardeners, which has members in Ocean View and beyond, the giveaway included about 20 kinds of trees and plants, including 'Ākia, Hō'awa, A'ali'i, 'Ōhi'a, Hala, Koai'a, Koki'o ke'oke'o, Māmane. Pūkiawe, 'Ulei, Wilwili, Mgambo, Malabar Chestnut and more.

    Master Gardeners in Kaʻū include Gary Kastle, Velvet and John Replogle, all of Ocean View. The Gardeners answered many questions from people wanting to plant more trees. Master Gardeners are often at public events such as 'O Ka'ū Kākou's Wednesday market in Nāʻālehu from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

PLANT OF THE MONTH IS KUPUKUPU for Lāʻau Letters: Native Plants of Kaʻū, the monthly column about Kaʻū’s native plants and their moʻolelo (stories), uses, preferred habitats, and opportunities to adopt them for stewardship. This column, by Jodie Rosam with illustration by Joan Yoshioka, seeks to encourage making new plant friends and to reunite with others.

Kupukupu illustration by Joan Yoshioka,

   Kupukupu is a great symbolism of both the upright and tall nature of Kū and the wide and sprawling nature of Lono. Representing growth, kupukupu also is consistent with this change of seasons as we enter into a time of abundance. Perhaps you can sit with kupukupu for some time and notice any symbolism it offers to you.
    Uses: Kupu means “to sprout”, and kupukupu are often used to decorate hula kuahu (altars), symbolizing sprouting knowledge. Fronds are also a common component of kūpeʻe (lei for wrists and ankles) and lei poʻo (for the head). Medicinally, the pressed juice is great for the skin and can be used as a remedy for multiple skin disorders. Kupukupu has a delicate scent that accompanies its beauty in adornment.
    Habitat: Kupukupu is a relatively common forest friend, growing on all of the main islands except for Kahoʻolawe. It can occupy sites between 100 and 4,600 feet elevation in mesic, wet, and even upper elevation dryland forests. In Kaʻū, there are Nephrolepis fern species all around - roadside, planters, even growing epiphytically in the trees. Unfortunately, what we see more commonly is a non-native or hybridized Nephrolepis. True kupukupu are restricted to more protected forest reserves and a little more
difficult to come by.
    Growing and Purchasing: Kupukupu are often sold at nurseries, and are relatively easy to propagate, they produce shoots that will quickly develop and spread into full-sized reproducing plants themselves. They make a great container plant and landscaping component, groundcover, and can even be planted at the bases of rock walls (where they will slowly climb up). When you plant your kupukupu, give them room - these ferns like to grow and will out-compete one another. While they can survive full sun, kupukupu really likes to keep cool, so offer them a space with at least partial shade. Do you have other native trees on your property? Pop some kupukupu at the base of their trunks! Soon your kupukupu will begin to spread and sprawl (hmmm, Lono imagery again) and you will be able to share it with friends and family. Lonoikamakahiki!
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