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Hawaiian Trees for Urban Gardens

Native plants are plants that occur naturally in a geographical location, meaning that the plants migrated to the site without human help or intervention. There are two types of native plants: indigenous and endemic.

• Indigenous: Plants that are found naturally at more than one geographical location, not restricted to only one site
• Endemic: Plants that are found only at one geographical location and nowhere else in the world

The Polynesians who first traveled to the Hawaiian Islands brought with them a variety of useful plants. The Polynesian-introduced plants that are included on this website are marked with an asterisk (*).

Pictured below are just some of the Polynesian-introduced and native Hawaiian shrubs and trees that are available at the Arbor Day giveaway sites. Note that not all species are available at all sites, and it's a good idea to come arrive early as the trees are given away on a on a “first-come first-served” basis.

Alahe'e		Alahe'e flower Courtesy Forest & Kim Starr (USGS)		Hala Pepe Courtesy Fleming Arboretum
Koa		Koki'o ke'oke'o		Kukui *
Koki'o ula		Koki'o ula flower		Lama
Ma'o Hau Hele		Milo * Courtesy Forest & Kim Starr (USGS)		Naio
Nanu		'Ohi'a		O'hi'a flower Courtesy Forest & Kim Starr (USGS)
Papala		Red Hala		Wauke * Courtesy Forest & Kim Starr (USGS)
Hau, varigated *		Naupaka		Kulu'i