Participants explored the art of wreath making while learning more about Hawaii Island’s native plants during a workshop Saturday in Hilo.
The Big Island Invasive Species Council and the Department of Forestry and Wildlife hosted a two-hour workshop to show people how to make wreaths with native plants while also teaching about the significance of those plants.
BIISC and DOFAW spent about four hours cutting and picking all the native plants used during the workshop from a forest on the slopes of Mauna Loa. Since the class couldn’t go to the forest together, instructors described how to identify and pick the plants correctly with a permit.
“The workshop originally started in 2015 as a way to educate people on rapid ohia death and how we can use other native plants to make a beautiful wreath for the holidays,” said Molly Murphy, invasive plant prevention coordinator with BIISC. “Before making the wreaths, we also go over different native plants, how to get a permit to pick plants, how to pick sustainably and how to enter forest with love and peace in your heart.”
After learning about the cultural importance of native plants and how to pick sustainably, participants started the creative process by cutting ti leaves and wrapping them around the wreath.
After pinning the leaves together in a circle and making a rope to hang the wreath, they then chose plants such as, uluhe, ohia ha and ama‘u, to create a design for each wreath.
Chelsea Ferrera joined her mother, Judith, for the class and was excited to make a wreath while spending quality time with her mom.
“I’ve never made a wreath before and I didn’t think I would be able to make it look this good, but these plants are perfect,” Chelsea Ferrera said. “This was really fun to do together.”
While everyone used the same plants, each wreath was unique as the creativity flowed differently from each student.
“This is always a great activity for people to learn and the holidays are a great time to do this high quality outreach and make a difference,” Murphy said. “I think people get more from learning what they can do versus what they can’t do.”
BIISC is also hosting its first series of Christmas tree planting classes next month for free, however, both classes are sold out.
According to Murphy, many invasive species have been brought to Hawaii on imported Christmas trees, so BIISC is taking the time to teach participants how to pot their own Mexican cypress as an alternative.
BIISC is consistently hosting classes, workshops and hands-on activities throughout the year to help educate the community on the importance of protecting the island from invasive species.
More information on BIISC and its programs can be found at biisc.org, or on its social media pages.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com