Hawai`i Natural Area Reserves System

Hawaiian Culture

By Protecting the `Aina, the NARS Helps Perpetuate the Culture!

Like the Native Hawaiian culture, Hawai‘i’s native plants and animals are unique to Hawai‘i and found naturally nowhere else in the world. Native species and ecosystems are integral components of the living Native Hawaiian culture. Here are a few of the special Hawaiian places and resources that are protected in the NARS.

Hawaiian adze quarry, Mauna Kea Ice Age Reserve, Hawai'i. In traditional times, adze specialists ascended the mountain to mine the dense basalt. The steel-like stone was fashioned into adzes.	Leina ka `uhane at Ka'ena Point Reserve, O'ahu. From here spirits would jump into the next world. If the person lived an honest life, his/her `aumakua would welcome the 'uhane into the realm of Po.	Ki'owaiokihawahine ("the small pond of Kihawahine"), West Maui Reserve. Kihawahine was the mo'o goddess of Moku'ula and the 'aumakua of Kauikeaouli and the royal family.
Anchialine pools in the 'Ahihi- Kina'u Reserve provide habitat `opae 'ula, which were gathered traditionally.	Many of the reserves are essential watersheds that support lo'i kalo and native stream life.	Nearly all the reserves provide habitat for native plants used traditionally and which continue to support the Hawaiin culture.
Many dry forest plants were used in traditional society. The bark of koki'o, for example, was used to make red dye for fishnets.	Kauila was used in traditional times to make 'o'o, kapa beaters, ihe, and other weapons, fishing spears, poles for kahili, and house beams.	Valued for its strength, 'ie'ie roots were used to make baskets, fish baskets, frames for mahiole (helmets), and cordage in house construction.
Lama was used to honor Laka in traditional halau hula.	Wiliwili was used to make ako (booms) and 'ama (floats) in traditional canoe construction.	'Uki'uki leaves were preferred to make cordage for house consruction. It was used to thatch pili grass to the the outer walls and roofs.
Canoe makers of old watched the 'elepaio's movements before a koa tree was felled to make a canoe. If the bird pecked at the wood looking for a meal of insects, it was useless to work on that log because it would not prove seaworthy.	Along with lama, 'ie'ie, palapalai and maile, hala pepe was used to decorate kuahu (altars) in traditional halau hula. Hala pepe was used honor the goddess Kapo.	Honu provided food in traditional society. The honu inspired traditional hula and is the 'aumakua for some Hawaiian families.
The 'ope'ape'a is one of only two native terrestrial mammals known from the Hawaiian Islands.	Alani, a relative of the Kaua'i mokihana, was valued for its useful wood, scent, and beauty.	The wekiu bug is found only on the upper limits of Mauna Kea. Its Hawaiian name means "summit".

LEI PLANTS & OTHER IMPORTANT SPECIES IN THE NARS