Maui Nui Botanical Gardens

Maui Nui Botanical Gardens Non-profit garden focused on the conservation of Native Hawaiian & Polynesian-introduced plants.
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Mahalo to the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, Department of Parks & Recreation, and our faithful volunteers.

Hawaiian name: ‘ĀnaunauBotanical name: Lepidium bidentatum var. o-waihienseFamily: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)Status: ...
06/12/2026

Hawaiian name: ‘Ānaunau
Botanical name: Lepidium bidentatum var. o-waihiense
Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family)
Status: Endemic
Where found: Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Hawai‘i, O‘ahu & Kaua‘i
Water/Light: Dry, with full to partial sunlight
Elevation range: 150 to 400 feet
Height: 1 to 2 feet, with an up to 2 foot spread

ʻĀnaunau (Lepidium bidentatum var. o-waihiense), an endemic variety, is found on all the Main Islands, except Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe. In the Northwest Islands it is found on Kure Atoll (Kānemilohaʻi) and Pearl & Hermes Atoll (Holoikauaua), but now extinct on Midway (Pihemanu) and Laysan (Kauō). ‘Ānaunau is easy to grow and self propagates. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and have a peppery smell and flavor to them. Try adding ‘ānaunau to your green salad! This native is also used medicinally throughout Polynesia for various ailments.

*Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr

Is it a grass or a sedge? Coastal sedges are unsung heroes: essential for marine health, with deep fibrous root systems ...
06/12/2026

Is it a grass or a sedge?

Coastal sedges are unsung heroes: essential for marine health, with deep fibrous root systems which control erosion and filter pollution, and thick shoot systems that shade out invasive weeds and provide habitat for nesting wetland birds.

On Saturday, June 13th, the Maui community is invited to gather at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens for a day dedicated to hon...
06/11/2026

On Saturday, June 13th, the Maui community is invited to gather at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens for a day dedicated to honoring and revitalizing niu (coconut) as a multi-use, culturally significant Hawaiian canoe plant and staple crop.

At ‘Aha Niu, cultural practitioners, farmers, educators, chefs, and families will come together for hands-on workshops, moʻolelo, and coconut-centered food and crafts. Through workshops, the whole ʻohana will have the opportunity to learn how to weave (ulana lau niu), make cordage from the husk (kaula niu), prepare ʻapu ʻawa, plant and sprout niu, and see a food processing demonstration. Cultural practitioners and niu farmers will hold space for moʻolelo and conversations about stewardship and the future of niu in Hawaiʻi. Educational and non-profit booths will share information and resources, including guidance on identifying, reporting, and mitigating the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB). Food and craft vendors will demonstrate niu’s versatility by highlighting its traditional and contemporary uses.

Registration required - see the link in our bio.

WEEKLY PLANT SALE Plants for sale:• ʻĀweoweo (Chenopodium oahuense) 4 inch pot for $6.• ʻŪlei (Osteomeles anthyllidifoli...
06/11/2026

WEEKLY PLANT SALE

Plants for sale:
• ʻĀweoweo (Chenopodium oahuense) 4 inch pot for $6.
• ʻŪlei (Osteomeles anthyllidifolia) 1 gallon pot for $16.
• ʻIlima kū kula (Sida fallax, shrub form) 3 inch pot for $6. SOLD OUT

Still get from last week:
• Naio papa (Myoporum sandwicense) 4 inch pot for $6.

The plant sale is live! You can reserve plants by:
• Calling us at (808) 249-2798
• Sending us a DM on Instagram or Facebook*
• Visiting us in person at the garden.

We will hold reserved plants for one week; pick up and pay anytime Tuesday through Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm. We take all forms of payment.

*On social media messages, please include:
• Your name
• Your phone number
• What you would like to purchase

Plant sales and giveaways are for local residents only. We do not ship plant materials of any kind.

Ongoing Plant Requests
If you are looking for other species, contact our Plant Sales Manager, Chris Davella, by phone 808-276-4911 or email [email protected].

Hawaiian Name: ʻŌlenaBotanical Name: Curcuma longaFamily: Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)Status: Polynesian-introducedWher...
06/11/2026

Hawaiian Name: ʻŌlena
Botanical Name: Curcuma longa
Family: Zingiberaceae (Ginger family)
Status: Polynesian-introduced
Where found: In cultivation
Water/Light: Moist, with part shade
Elevation range: up to 3,000 feet
Height: 2 to 4 feet

ʻŌlena is best known throughout the world as turmeric, and was brought to Hawai‘i by the first Polynesian settlers. In ancient Hawai‘i, ʻōlena was mixed with sea water and used in religious ceremonies to purify and infuse mana (power) into objects, people and places. A dark yellow kapa dye can be made from the roots of ʻōlena. This pigment was reserved for ali‘i (chiefs and royalty). The beautiful flowers are referenced in Jimmy Kaholokula’s beloved Hawaiian mele, Pua ʻŌlena (made popular by the Lim Family of Kohala).

🌿 Work With Us 🌿I Mua I Ke Ola is building a network of local contractors and service providers interested in supporting...
06/10/2026

🌿 Work With Us 🌿

I Mua I Ke Ola is building a network of local contractors and service providers interested in supporting community forestry recovery efforts in Lāhainā and Kula.

We are seeking professionals with experience in:

🪵 Tree care & arboriculture
💧 Irrigation
🌿 Landscaping & planting
🌱 Soil health & site restoration
🎓 Public education & workshop support

This is not a formal job application. It is a way for us to learn about local capacity, areas of expertise, and opportunities for future collaboration as project work develops.

Paid opportunities may arise over the next two years as the project expands.

If you're interested in being considered for future work, we invite you to join our contractor network.

📱 Scan the QR code or visit the link in our bio to complete the Contractor Interest Form.

Hawaiian name: Na‘ena‘e (kūpaoa)Botanical name: Dubautia herbstobataeFamily: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)Status: Endemi...
06/10/2026

Hawaiian name: Na‘ena‘e (kūpaoa)
Botanical name: Dubautia herbstobatae
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Status: Endemic, Endangered
Where found: O‘ahu
Water/Light: Moist, with full to part sunlight
Elevation range: about 1,500 feet
Height: 2 feet, with a 4 foot spread

This particular species of naʻenaʻe is found only on the leeward side of the northern Waianae Mountains on O‘ahu. The main forces threatening this endangered native species is habitat destruction by wildfires and introduced species including feral goats and pigs. The white to yellow flower clusters can be used to make beautiful lei. Na‘ena‘e is vulnerable to strong winds and drought.

*Photo by Joel Lau

UPCOMING WORKSHOP: Native Plant Propagation with Jordan Tabura & Ka Ohana o Naonoaina FarmsSaturday, July 25th | 9am - 1...
06/09/2026

UPCOMING WORKSHOP: Native Plant Propagation with Jordan Tabura & Ka Ohana o Naonoaina Farms

Saturday, July 25th | 9am - 12pm

Join Jordan & Ka Ohana o Naonoaina Farms for a hands-on propagation workshop. They believe that when people invest time and energy into growing native plants, they are more likely to carry that knowledge forward, strengthening conservation efforts and inspiring more native plant growers and community nurseries across Hawai’i.

The focus will be on ʻIlima Sida fallax, Māmaki Pipturus albidus, Koʻokoʻolau Bidens hillebrandiana, ʻUlei Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, & Nehe Wollastonia lavarum. Participants will gain experience with propagation techniques, including seed germination and rooting, while learning the care required for each species to thrive. Participants will take home at least one species, if not more.

Jordan will discuss the differences between growing plants for conservation and landscape use, the importance of preserving island and watershed genetics in restoration work, and best practices for plant health and treatment protocols that meet watershed and conservation standards.

Cost: $25 for members, $50 for non-members

Limited space available! Sign up today via the link in our bio or visit https://tinyurl.com/murrpanh

🌿 FREE Native Plants & Trees for Fire-Affected Community Members 🌿June is the final month of MALU Initiative-funded pla...
06/09/2026

🌿 FREE Native Plants & Trees for Fire-Affected Community Members 🌿

June is the final month of MALU Initiative-funded plant distributions through Maui Nui Botanical Gardens.

If your property was affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires and you’re ready to begin planting, we encourage you to submit a request soon and pick up your plants from MNBG while this program is still active.

🌱 Native plants and trees are available at no cost to eligible fire-affected community members.

To request plants:
📱 Scan the QR code in this post
OR
🔗 Visit the link in our bio and select “Request Trees & Plants”
📍 Plant pickup is available at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens Tuesday–Thursday throughout June.

Available species currently include:

🌳 Shade & Canopy Trees
• Kukui • Kou • Milo • Kamani • Niu • Hala • Loulu • Wiliwili • ʻIliahi 

🍎 Food-Producing Species
• ʻUlu • Noni • ʻŌhiʻa ʻAi (Mountain Apple) • Kalo • Niu

🌿 Native Shrubs & Groundcovers
• ʻAʻaliʻi • ʻIlima Papa • ʻIlieʻe • Naupaka Kahakai • ʻŪlei • Maʻo • Anapanapa • Ala ʻAla Wai Nui Wahine • Mauʻu ʻAkiʻaki • Ahuʻawa

🌺 Specialty & Cultural Plants
• Maile • Loulu • Nānū • Maʻo Hau Hele • Hala Pepe • Tī • Globe Schiedea • Hoawa • Naio

Please note: If you are not ready to plant yet, there is no need to worry. Additional tree and plant support opportunities will continue to be available through future recovery programs in the years ahead.

Mahalo to the Treecovery Hui for making this request process possible through the Natural Resource Data Solutions (NRDS) platform.

The Treecovery Hui includes:




Together, we are supporting long-term landscape recovery across Maui.

MauiStrong NativePlants NativeHawaiianPlants UrbanForestry CommunityForestry Reforestation MalamaAina AlohaAina Lahaina KulaMaui

HAWAIIAN PLANT OF THE DAYHawaiian name: ‘Ulu (breadfruit)Botanical name: Artocarpus altilisFamily: Moraceae (Mulberry Fa...
06/09/2026

HAWAIIAN PLANT OF THE DAY
Hawaiian name: ‘Ulu (breadfruit)
Botanical name: Artocarpus altilis
Family: Moraceae (Mulberry Family)
Status: Polynesian-introduced
Where found: In cultivation across Polynesia
Water/Light: Moist, with full sun exposure
Elevation range: Up to 2,000 feet
Height: 60 feet, with a 15 foot spread

‘Ulu (breadfruit) trees begin bearing fruit in 3 to 5 years, and are productive for many decades. The starchy, potato-like, fruit is harvested when firm and exuding sap. At that stage, it can be made into a variety of tasty dishes. The trunk can be used for making pahu (drums), papa he‘e nalu (surfboards), and papa ku‘i ‘ai (poi pounding boards). Medicinally, a remedy to treat koko‘ino (bad blood) was made with ‘ulu, and the sticky latex was used as glue to caulk canoes and to catch birds. Yellow, tan, and brown kapa dyes can be made from the male inflorescence of ‘ulu.

‘Ōlelo Noeau [M. K. PUKUI]: ʻAʻohe ‘ulu e loa‘a i ka pokole o ka lou.
Translation: No breadfruit can be reached when the picking stick is too short.
Meaning: There is no success without preparation

Address

150 Kanaloa Avenue
Kahului, HI
96732

Opening Hours

Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+18082492798

Website

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