A visit to the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden
P.O. Box 1053
Captain Cook, Hawai'i 96704
Telephone: (808) 323-3318
Fax: (808) 323-2394
Email: pvandyke@bishopmuseum.org
Peter Van Dyke, Manager
Located in Captain Cook, 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona at mile marker 110
A part of Bishop Museum, the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden focuses on the traditional Native Hawaiian uses of plants and land, and on the conservation of that plant material. This 12 acre garden includes a 5 acre remnant of the prehistoric agricultural Kona field system of the ahupua'a of Kealakekua. The garden layout illustrates the four vegetation zones utilized by Hawaiians in the Kona region: coastal, lowland dry forest, food and fiber crops, and upland forest. Feature collections include banana, Hawaiian economic plants, native Hawaiian plants, sugarcane, and taro. The garden is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday for self-guided tours. There is no charge for self-guided tours. Guided tours are available on Wednesdays and Fridays at 1:00 p.m.; there is a $5.00 charge for these tours. Guided tours are also available at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month and a donation is requested for these tours.
1 Information about Greenwell Garden provided by the University of Hawaii Libraries:
Link for the Greenwell Garden from the Bishop Museum
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Our visit to the Greenwell Garden
On April 1st the California education partners were treated to two unforgettable experiences by the dedicated staff at the Greenwell Garden. Peter Van Dyke, garden manager, led an interpretive walk through parts of the garden's lowland dry forest, sharing some of his vast horticultural and ethnobotanical information. This was followed by an awesome demonstration of kapa making by director of education, Momi Subiomo.
Prominent in this garden are remnants of prehistoric rock walls which once separated one farm from another. These farms ran in strips from the dry coasts to the wet highlands, allowing farmers to raise a wide variety of crops. The primary food crops included kalo (taro), uola (sweet potatoe), uhi (yam), ulu (breadfruit) and mai'a (bananas).
An excellent description of these ancient farms can be found at the following site:
"A Brief History of the Ahupua'a of Pu'uwa'awa'a and its Neighbors in North Kina, Island of Hawai'i" by Marion Kelly
Some of the Plants We Saw
Kalo (taro):
At one time over 300 varieties of taro were named, but today half that many remain. Sixty-five varieties or cultivars are found in the Greenewell.. Many varieties of taro are and have been introduced to the island, compromising the purity of the indigenous varieties. The Bishop Museum is trying to get DNA signature of all the indigenous varieties.
More about Kalo
Ti (ki):
The ti leaves had many uses including roof thatching material and mulch.
More about Ti
Ulu (breadfruit):
Breadfruit is a member of the rubber family. It produces latex that was used for glue. Historically the breadfruit zone was 20 miles wide. The fruite was roasted or baked. T is "poi-like. Canoes were made from the wood of the bigger trees. Breadfruit was often fed to pigs.
More about Ulu
Uala (sweet potato):
Believed to be South American in origin, sweet potatoes were brought to Hawaii by Polynesians who specialized in horticulture. Some varieties must be harvested within four to six months, while other varieties can be kept in the ground. This is a real plus. It can be grown in rows, but mounds are best. It can be used to make poi.
More about Uala
Ipu (gourds):
Gourds served as containers, could be decorated, and were also made into helmets and masks.
More about Ipu
An endemic hibiscus (?):
This variety is very rare because it occurs in the dryland forest which is the area most disturbed by people. It is subject to outcompetition by aliens like fountain grass.
Loulu palms (Prichardia schattaveri) :
This is the only genus of palm that is native to Hawaii. This endemic fan palm is down to 15 in this area. It is on the Federal list of endangered species. There are two other species of Prichardia in Hawaii.
More about Loulu
A'alii:
This plant looks somewhat like a bougainvillea. Its seed capsules, which were used in head leis, are used in Christmas wreaths today. The wood was once used for house posts.
More about A'alii
Additional information about A'alii
Hala pepe:
There are only 200 - 300 left scattered around the dryland forest. It is an endangered species on the Federal list. It is related to the house plant known as Dracaena.
More about Hala Pepe
Additional information about Hala Pepe
Nanu (Gardenia brighhanii):
This is an extremely rare plant that was once abundant in the dry forest slopes of most Hawaiian islands.
More about Nanu
For additional information about early uses of Hawaiian plants, see the following websites:
"Ethnobotony of the Ahupua'a"
"Canoe Plants of Ancient Hawaii"
Demonstration: Making Kapa
By Momi Subiomo
Momi demonstrated how to beat kapa (Brousunettia popyrifera), which is also know as tapa or wauka, into "fabric". It was wonderful to see a modern day native Hawaiin continue this ancient tradition. For more on making kapa, see the following sites:
"Kapa, Hawaiian Bark Cloth"
"The History and Craft Behind Hawaiian Kapa Cloth"
Written By
Ellen Kelley
