Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.
By CHELSEA JENSEN
Stephens Media
A local effort aimed at cultivating and preserving traditional Hawaiian taro varieties is in the works at Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook.
Some 68 to 70 taro species traditionally found in Hawaii are threatened by hybrids as well as kalo introduced from the South Pacific, making it important to preserve the plants or face losing some of the varieties forever, said Peter Van Dyke, garden manager.
“All the different types of taro kind of muddies the water as far as traditional (Hawaiian) taro varieties are concerned,” he said. “It’s really important that people have a focused effort concentrated on preserving the Hawaiian varieties.”
With that in mind, the 15-acre garden is taking part in a statewide Bishop Museum effort to cultivate traditional Hawaiian taro, genetically identify each type, educate the public and establish a means for people to obtain the plants to grow in their own yards, he said.
Soon, with community help, work will begin at the garden to clear a 5,000-square-foot area for the project.
“It’s like creating a natural living collection, but the idea is not only to have the collection but also to create a bank, a supply of the traditional varieties for farmers and backyard farmers,” he said. “The long-term survival of these varieties will require people to really know and love the plants. And, the best way to do that is by growing and using them.”
In line with the project, hundreds of people on Saturday got a glimpse of the cultivation and uses of taro during the garden’s eighth annual Grow Hawaiian Weekend. The two-day event, which focused this year on taro, kicked off Friday with hands-on activities including poi pounding.
The free events are held annually to highlight Hawaii’s culture and natural history for residents and visitors alike, said Van Dyke.
“By reinforcing growing more traditional Hawaiian plants, it will keep the strong link between traditional plants and the Hawaiian culture alive,” he said. “Plants are our cultural treasures — they are important to the cultural patrimony and keeping the culture thriving.”
Any person or group interested in volunteering for the taro project should contact Van Dyke at 323-3318.
Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.