Building a forest from the grounD up..

We each have a reason to plant a tree. Some of us plant because we want to see the forest grow; some of us plant to remember those who pass; and some of us plant to commemorate new life we’ve brought into our Ohana. Whatever your reason is to plant, please let us know what we can do to support your positive intentions.

Lei Kou

A treasured tree in Hawaii, Kou is now categorized as indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands.  Groves of kou were once planted near sacred places; today, very few kou trees remain.

Known for its cream-and-caramel-toned wood that swirls and pools, kou is both beautiful and useful when used for creating bowls and calabashes. Kou leaves provided dye for kapa cloth and fishing lines.  The orange trumpet-shaped flowers were highly prized by young girls and lei-makers to create a favorite traditional lei.

In the Hawaii of yesterday, parents would plant kou when children were born.   Plant a Lei Kou Legacy Tree and leave “Your Lei” for future generations.

Monarch Milo

Milo is a beautiful and spiritually important tree used in and around temples throughout Polynesia. It continually produces showy bright yellow flowers with maroon centers. These blooms start out yellow in the morning then turn to a dark orange later in the day.

The beautiful wood was prized by Hawaiians to make bowls, calabashes, carvings and musical instruments. Even the Waikīkī home of King Kamehameha I was known for being surrounded by Milo trees. It was revered in the Hawaiian community, considered a sacred tree and its use was once forbidden to commoners.

Na‘u ‘Oe

The Na‘u (Hawaiian forest gardenia) is a small tree belonging to the coffee family. Na‘u white flowers are smaller than the traditional gardenia and give off a delicate buttery scent with just a hint of coconut. 

This tree once thrived in the islands, but now it is extremely rare and is on the federal endangered species list.  It is endemic to Hawaii, meaning it can be found on the islands and nowhere else. There are only about ten plants left in the wild throughout the state.

Only one plant remains in the wild on O’ahu and our Legacy Trees are the grandchildren of that lone plant. Your sponsorship of a Na‘u Legacy Tree can help prevent the extinction of this plant. 

‘Ohi‘a Lehua

WE ARE VERY SORRY BUT WE ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF THIS SPECIES. We understand the demand to plant Ohi‘a in sight of the recent Rapid Ohia Death advancements, and though we cannot provide this species, we hope it won’t stop you from planting a tree today.

There is a Hawaiian legend tied to the 'Ohi'a tree; its flower, the Lehua blossom; and the volcano goddess, Pele. Hawaiian mythology tells the tale of two young lovers named 'Ohi'a and Lehua. Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, was also in love with the handsome 'Ohi'a. In a jealous rage, Pele turned 'Ohi'a into a tree. Lehua was devastated. The other gods, pitying Lehua, turned her into a flower of the 'Ohi'a tree so they could be together. The legend says, however, that if the Lehua blossom is plucked from the 'Ohi'a tree, the lovers will be separated once again, causing rain to fall.

'Ohi'a is so important to the survival of Hawai'i's native birds. It would be hard to imagine a vibrant avifauna without it, but the tree is increasingly threatened by plant diseases.