This act made acquiring, or even keeping land much more complicated, with the purpose of the eventual total control by the provisional government to use, occupy and sell the land as they saw fit.

Following this Act, years of controversy and heartbreak ensued within the Hawaiian Islands by those affected, namely families of whom had previously, under the Great Mahele had rights to their own land, lands meant to be passed down to their kin in perpetuity.

To this day, thousands of Hawaiians have either been priced out of their lands, quiet titled, or otherwise "lost" their land due to unfair and corrupt laws put in place over a century ago. On top of this tragedy, the ʻike kupuna of Hawaiian Culture & Practices has been since gentrified, outlawed, forgotten, swept aside or mercilessly destroyed by lack of proper care or education by those in power today.

When incorporating traditional knowledge systems into todays farming practices, the continuity of sustainable resilience by cultural revitalization becomes attainable.

DLNR defines invasive species as, "alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health"

Their website has a link for individuals to report on "new pest sightings", as well as the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan, which states that, "The plan is a strategic systems analysis, rather than an operational plan that analyzes response protocols for individual species. It identifies critical gaps in our biosecurity system and suggests policies, processes, and resources to address those gaps. The plan recommendations cover a number of important topics"

Luckily, as of their most recent January 2025 report, " of the actions identified in the Biosecurity plan; 27% are considered complete and 44% are in some level of progress" This means good news!

Of course, these grasses did not just appear... "large tracts of land were owned and operated as sugar or pineapple plantations supported by water that was diverted from streams, and grazing lands covered more than 2 million acres across the Hawaiian Islands. By the 1990s most plantations had closed, and the drought-resistant grasses and shrubs quickly filled the fallow fields. As well, pasturage declined due to the shifting economics of cattle grazing, leaving large areas of uneaten invasive and fire-promoting grasses to proliferate."

Predominantly, grasses like guinea grass and buffelgrass, ornamental species such as the fire-adapted fountain grass all started growing UNREGULATED after planation and pasturage declined in the wake of a steadily booming tourism industry. Not to mention, "estimates suggest that about a quarter of the land area in Hawaiʻi (about a million acres), is now covered in flammable invasive grasses and shrubs... also paralleled a significant increase in the duration and severity of drought in Hawaiʻi."

Now, the situation that transpired the tragedy in Lahaina is often referred to as "a perfect storm", but to those who understand the history of the land there (it being originally wetland ag land) it is unacceptable to state that this occurrence was anything but "an ignored issue, foreseeable, and PREVENTABLE". Of course, that is not to say that the people involved at the scene(aka firefighters & first responders) did not try to manage the awful situation to the very best of their ability, but it is reasonable to state that due to ignorant leading officials, the community outcry after past events (fire event in 2018), who pleaded the county to make the necessary changes to remedy the landscape in Lahaina and surrounding areas were wrongfully swept under the rug.

The creation of a Lahaina Invasive Grasses Corps should be making headway to remedy the situation to the full extent, and hopefully will incorporate replanting of native forests throughout the area.

While progress has been made, issues remain regarding the balance between agricultural needs and environmental restoration. The CWRM continues to review water use permits and in-stream flow standards, aiming to ensure that water distribution aligns with both ecological health and community needs. Kaleo Manuel, an environmental planner who administers and implements the state water code under the direction of the commission, states that, "Compared to a decade or two ago, communities across Hawaiʻi are more aware of their rights to water and are active in promoting their needs. Thus, we now as a state government, are acting to show that water flow from mauka to makai is important, in streams and underground, not just for esthetics but for supporting our protected public trust uses of water.” The situation underscores the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern legal frameworks to achieve sustainable and equitable water management.

"Today it is estimated that there are approximately 1,400 vascular plant taxa (including species, subspecies, and varieties) native to the State of Hawai‘i, and nearly 90 percent of these are found nowhere else in the world."

Native plants arrived by the three Ms: moana (ocean/tides), makani(winds), and manu(birds).

Restoring native species in Hawaiʻi is vital to protect its unique biodiversity, support healthy ecosystems, preserve Hawaiian cultural traditions, and ensure clean water and climate resilience. Native plants and animals play key roles in maintaining watershed health, preventing erosion, and supporting local economies. Without restoration, Hawaiʻi risks losing species found nowhere else in the world.

Although progress is being made, the stark reality is that these species and their habitats, many of which are found nowhere else on earth, face tremendous challenges because of habitat loss, the introduction of non-native invasive species, and the adverse effects of a changing climate. More than half of native habitats have been lost, and the introduction of non-native plants, animals, and diseases, like miconia, coqui frog, and West Nile virus, constitutes an ongoing threat to native animals and the very existence of entire species."

"Hawaii also has the unfortunate distinction as one of the epicenters of the extinction of its species.  Since human colonization, 71 birds have been confirmed lost, 48 prior to the arrival of Europeans, and 23 since Captain Cook first arrived in 1778.  Of the 42 extant endemic taxa, 31 are federally listed (29 species and 2 subspecies), but 10 of these have not been observed in as many as 40 years and are of unknown status."

Key threats to the remaining species include: habitat destruction and degradation by humans and introduced ungulates, non-native diseases and predators (feral cats, barn owls, rats, and mongoose, mosquitos), and habitat-altering invasive plants. 

https://hawaiiannativeplants.com/habitat-restorations/

The NREM facilities host a variety of projects from several departments at UH-Manoa that support the tripartite mission of the college in education, research, and extension. Current and past examples include the evaluation of native plants for green roof plantings, testing of aquaponics systems, use of native plants and coconut coir logs to control sediment and nutrient pollution in streams, phytoremediation of contaminated soils, optimizing nursery management of native tree seedlings, propagation of native plants for riparian buffers, competition experiments between native and invasive species, development of novel propagation methods for seedless tree varieties, and evaluation of a solar coffee dryer. You are welcome to tour the facilities to determine if they are appropriate for your project. "

I visited Magoon to help plant tiny ʻŌhia Lehua seedlings, and it is a great facility for anybody to volunteer at in order to get your foot in the door (on campus) to start working on native species restoration.

I include this section because this traditional healing practice is at the heart of broader conversations about sustainability, land use, cultural revitalization, and ecological balance in Hawaiʻi.

Many of the plants used in laʻau lapaʻau are native or endemic species, but modern development, invasive species, and agricultural expansion have led to the destruction of native forests and ecosystems threatening access to key medicinal plants. Protecting native habitats isn't just ecological... it's cultural and medical preservation. Not to mention, Healers often need access to public or conservation land to gather plants, but conflicts arise between conservation laws and traditional gathering rights.

"Lā‘au lapa‘au is medicine made from plants. It is used to treat people who are sick or injured. Lā‘au lapa‘au is for healing the mind, body, and spirit. People gather lā‘au from the ‘āina (land) or kai (ocean) to make their medicine."

They have many different routes of action, from ʻĀina based Huakaʻi experiences, Mālama land stewardship & beach clean up activities, and even a Disaster Relief Program.

There mission is to promote the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of the land area and natural resources at Ka`ehu Bay & utilize the land and natural resources, in conjunction with other agencies and cultural organizations to promote, preserve, and perpetuate traditional Hawaiian cultural activities.

It was SO fun.

"Loko ea fishpond is a sacred space. A sacred space for the community of pae ʻāina o Hawaiʻi. A space for practicing our culture and gathering together. A space to learn, to think, to celebrate, to plan, to eat, to replenish ourselves. A place to protect. But mostly Loko ea is place to aloha kekahi i kekahi."

"JOIN US FOR COMMUNITY WORK DAY! ​Every third Saturday of the month, everyone is welcome at our Lā Hana!"

Incorporating traditional agricultural systems like loko iʻa and loʻi kalo, along with cultivating other native and naturalized crops, should be a top priority for Hawaiʻi’s government.

These systems are time-tested, sustainable, and deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture and ecological knowledge. Investing in local food production not only strengthens community resilience and food security, but also creates meaningful jobs, supports local economies, and diversifies Hawaiʻi’s economy away from over-reliance on tourism.

Prioritizing food sovereignty honors cultural traditions while building a healthier, more self-sufficient future for the islands.

AJ+. 2017. “Meet the Native Hawaiians Fighting U.S. Occupation | AJ+.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBokfBwYJo0

“Ola I Ka Wai Water Is Life.” n.d. https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/ola-i-ka-wai-water-is-life/

Admin. 2025. “Ola I Ka Wai: Hawaiʻi Water Law.” Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, April 22, 2025. https://nativehawaiianlegalcorp.org/ola-i-ka-wai-hawaii-water-law/#:~:text=Article%20XI%2C%20%C2%A7%201%20of,the%20benefit%20of%20its%20people.%E2%80%9D

PBS NewsHour. 2023. “Maui Faces Water Rights Questions as Island Continues Wildfire Recovery.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFSW3CAXbpg

“Examples of Invasive Species in Hawaii.” n.d. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/species/

Naisma. 2024. “The Tragedy in Lahaina: How Invasive Grasses and Shrubs Are Fueling the Wildfire Crisis in Hawai’I.” NAISMA. March 1, 2024. https://naisma.org/2023/10/10/the-tragedy-in-lahaina-how-invasive-grasses-and-shrubs-are-fueling-the-wildfire-crisis-in-hawai%CA%BBi/#:~:text=Invasive%20grasses%20exacerbate%20wildfires%20because,dry%20quickly%20and%20burn%20easily

“Plants in Hawaiʻi.” n.d. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/plants/

“Hawaii’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP).” n.d. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/hswap/

“Native Birds of Hawaiʻi.” n.d. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/birds/

“HOME | Ka`Ehu.” n.d. Ka`Ehu. https://www.kaehu.org/#:~:text=KA%60EHU%20is%20a%20nonprofit,environmental%20stewardship%20and%20sustainable%20agriculture

PBS Hawaiʻi. 2022. “The World’s Largest Native Hawaiian Plant Nursery | PBS HAWAIʻI.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuf2Z2LgaTE

“Magaoon-Mauka Campus Facility.” n.d. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/idolt/mauka.html

“Lāʻau Lapaʻau | Explore Lessons | Kumukahi.” n.d. https://kumukahi.org/units/na-kanaka/mauli-ola/laau-lapaau

73rdStProductions. 2012. “La`Au Lapa`Au: Traditional Hawaiian Herbal Healthcare.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTLCHAVdM_Q

molokaimatt. 2024. “Kalo Moon Project.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W_AC_wpwZE

“Home - Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi.” 2025. Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi. May 5, 2025. https://kakoooiwi.org/

“Malama Loko Ea Foundation.” n.d. Malama Loko Ea Foundation. https://www.lokoea.org/

CCOF. 2021. “Organic Farming Rooted in Hawaiian Traditions – CCOF Foundation Future Organic Farmer Lehia Apana.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKetrIBysqs

“Food Sovereignty in Hawaiʻi.” n.d. https://hilo.hawaii.edu/news/kekalahea/spring-2023/april/food-sovereignty-in-hawaii