OLA HONUA

Who We Are, What We're Doing

 

            What is Ola Honua?  Ola Honua ( Òlife giving landÓ) is an agro-forestry project located on 175 acres of land in Kipahulu.  Common to all of our endeavors at Ola Honua is a deep respect and commitment to the care and regeneration of the land.

            What activities are taking place at Ola Honua?  Ola Honua has two primary goals: (1) sustainably cultivate and harvest construction-grade bamboo and exotic hardwoods, such as koa, mahogany and teak; and, (2) create a corridor of Native Hawaiian trees and plants stretching from the State Forest Reserve lands located mauka of the property down through the property.  Specific activities include the following:

  • Cultivation.  We are propagating most of the seedlings for our planting efforts.  As of Summer 2005, we have planted approximately: 18 acres of clumping, non-invasive bamboo; 13 acres of exotic hardwoods; and, 1.5 acres of native plants and trees.
  • Restoring the land.  We are removing the invasive trees by manually cutting and chipping them into mulch.  We return this valuable biomass to the land in the form of mulch and compost and add other amendments to return the soil to its former health. We operate entirely organically.
  • Partnering with experts.  We have received a Forest Stewardship Grant from the state of Hawai`i to assist us in our reforestation efforts.  The grant will include periodic consulting with state forestry experts for several decades.
  • Ensuring perpetual preservation.  In partnership with the Maui Coastal Land Trust, we have established a conservation easement covering over 74 acres of the property. The easement limits development and requires the land be used forever for agricultural-related activities.
  • Providing access for cultural activities.  We will provide access for restoration of the native trees and plants on Cable Ridge and cultural access for cultural gathering on state lands above Ola Honua.

            Neaulani, Inc. and Whispering Winds Bamboo: Who are they?  Currently Neaulani, Inc. employs about nine full time workers involved in our reforestation efforts and expects to employ a total of up to fourteen persons in the future.  Whispering Winds is the portion of Neaulani devoted to our bamboo project.  This division currently offers nursery stock for sale and will in the future offer other bamboo products, including construction grade bamboo and bamboo shoots.  For more info, visit: http://whisperingwindsbamboo.com/.

            What is planned for the future?  In furtherance of its commitment to sustainable agricultural operations, Neaulani seeks to provide affordable housing to its workers and their families.  Neaulani is seeking a Òspecial use permitÓ from the county to provide farm worker housing.  This housing will be limited to persons working at Ola Honua (or who are otherwise employed on farms within the County of Maui) and their families.  Up to nine farm labor dwellings ranging in size from 400 to 1300 square feet are proposed, as well a few supporting structures, including a small dorm room for short term interning farmers and a worker kitchen, dining, and meeting area.  Housing and other structures will be clustered within a 14.75-acre portion of the property.