Last updated: April 16, 2025
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Empowering Local Youth, Restoring Sacred Lands: Puʻukoholā Heiau's Pili Grass Revival
Puukohola Heiau, a site of immense cultural significance, tells the story of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s unification under Kamehameha I. However, like many lowland areas in Hawaii, it has faced the challenge of invasive plant species that threaten native flora, including the vital fire-adapted pili grass. Recognizing the critical need to restore pili grass, a species vital to the park’s historic character and ecological health, PUHE sought innovative solutions.
A Collaborative Effort with Local Roots
The restoration of pili grasslands at Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic started shortly after the stabilization of the heiau in 2008 after a major seismic event altered the landscape and the historic structure. The importance of the native pili grass as a part of the cultural landscape and as a vital ethnobotanical material in traditional hale (house) thatching surfaced as a priority among the community partners and the park unit.
Leveraging its own resources, PUHE partnered with the Pacific Internship Program for Exploring Science (PIPES) at the University of Hawaii Hilo. This collaboration enabled the park to hire local students, providing them with invaluable hands-on experience in conservation and cultural resource management. This approach maximized the impact of the GAOA MAT funds, ensuring that the project directly benefited the local community.
NPS
The restoration efforts include:
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Integrated Invasive Species Management: Students are actively involved in both manual removal and targeted chemical treatments of invasive plants, protecting the native ecosystem.
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Establishment of Pili Grass Nurseries: Utilizing existing pili grass populations, the students are creating in-situ nurseries to cultivate seeds and plant plugs for planting. Archaeological Protection: All nursery and outplanting sites are carefully reviewed by an archaeologist to safeguard cultural resources.
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Strategic Outplanting Techniques: Students are meticulously transplanting pili grass plugs, using hand tools, to establish new, robust populations across the landscape.
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Temporary Irrigation Support: Irrigation lines are used to ensure the successful establishment of new pili grass, with plans for their removal once the plants are self-sustaining.
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Modeling Fire Resiliency: The park has also begun to incorporate pili grass as an important species for modeling landscape level fire-resiliency, along with other vital native dryland species like aʻaliʻi, pōhinahina, ʻilima, and naio pāpā. Interns have begun critical research into the fire adapted traits of native plants and use of fire in traditional land management.
Investing in People, Preserving Heritage
This project exemplifies the efficient and effective use of the GAOA Legacy Restoration Fund . By combining its own resources with external partnerships, PUHE amplified its capacity and impact. The collaboration with PIPES at UH Hilo has provided local students with valuable training and career opportunities, while simultaneously advancing the park’s restoration goals.
The restoration of pili grass is essential for preserving the historic character and ecological integrity of Puukohola Heiau NHL. This initiative demonstrates the power of community engagement and strategic investment in safeguarding our national treasures, ensuring that future generations can experience the rich cultural and natural heritage of this sacred site.