Cultivating Tradition

GROW HAWAIIAN FESTIVAL FOCUSES ON TARO PRESERVATION

BY CHELSEA JENSEN

WEST HAWAII TODAY

cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com

A local effort aimed at cultivating and preserving traditional Hawaiian taro varieties is in the works at Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook.

Some 68 to 70 taro species traditionally found in Hawaii are threatened by hybrids as well as kalo introduced from the South Pacific, making it important to preserve the plants or face losing some of the varieties forever, said Peter Van Dyke, garden manager.

“All the different types of taro kind of muddies the water as far as traditional (Hawaiian) taro varieties are concerned,” he said. “It’s really important that people have a focused effort concentrated on preserving the Hawaiian varieties.”

With that in mind, the 15-acre garden is taking part in a statewide Bishop Museum effort to cultivate traditional Hawaiian taro, genetically identify each type, educate the public and establish a means for people to obtain the plants to grow in their own yards, he said. Soon, with community help, work will begin at the garden to clear a 5,000-square-foot area for the project.

“It’s like creating a natural living collection, but the idea is not only to have the collection but also to create a bank, a supply of the traditional varieties for farmers and backyard farmers,” he said. “The long-term survival of these varieties will require people to really know and love the plants. And, the best way to do that is by growing and using them.”

In line with the project, hundreds of people on Saturday got a glimpse of the cultivation and uses of taro during the garden’s eighth annual Grow Hawaiian Weekend. The two-day event, which focused this year on taro, kicked off Friday with hands-on activities including poi pounding.

The free events are held annually to highlight Hawaii’s culture and natural history for residents and visitors alike, said Van Dyke.

“By reinforcing growing more traditional Hawaiian plants, it will keep the strong link between traditional plants and the Hawaiian culture alive,” he said. “Plants are our cultural treasures — they are important to the cultural patrimony and keeping the culture thriving.”

Grace Miller, a University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources master gardener, roamed the event prior to manning the group’s booth. As is her annual tradition, she found a native Hawaiian plant to add to her home garden.

“I’ve become attached to native plants because they need to be preserved,” she said while holding an endangered endemic alula. “They have such a unique evolution, so, I like to put as many as I can in my yard.”

Kona resident Lisa Greig attended the event with daughters Erica, 8, and Mahina, 5, to get a good dose of education, information and inspiration. Greig, an artist, said such events give her, Erica and Mahina a better understanding of Hawaii’s plants and culture.

“I use all the information I learn and things I experience here in my artwork,” said Greig, whose art focuses on Hawaiian culture. “The more knowledge that people can get and use, the better.”

Also Saturday morning, the garden dedicated its new 1,200-square-foot visitor center, which Van Dyke said increases the garden’s visibility and makes it easier for visitors to find. Before construction of the $1 million facility began in August 2010, the garden’s visitor center consisted of small buildings off an unpaved road with little highway signage.

Ocean View part-time residents Scott and Janette Murdock were happy to see the garden finally have a real visitor center.

“It will be huge because it makes it more accessible for people,” he said before explaining it can often be difficult for visitors on their own to experience everything the garden has to offer. “It’s a very large and interesting place to see.”

Any person or group interested in volunteering for the taro project should contact Van Dyke at 323-3318.