An early milestone in the restoration vision has been reached: a community-supported native seedling nursery has begun propagating koa and ʻiliahi seedlings. The work brings together kūpuna, keiki, and volunteers around the shared task of preparing native plants for future planting sites.
A patient beginning
Restoration does not begin with planting — it begins with listening, surveying, and gathering seed from appropriate sources. The nursery is a first, careful step, and no large-scale planting has begun. Sites will be confirmed through field survey and community guidance before any seedlings go into the ground.
Why native seedlings matter
Local propagation helps ensure that plants are suited to Molokaʻi's conditions and that the community is part of the work from the very first seed. It also reduces dependence on imported plant material, which can carry pests or be poorly adapted to the island's ecosystems.
What comes next
The next phase involves site assessment, continued propagation, and community input on where early trial plantings could take place. No acreage figures are confirmed; any numbers shown elsewhere on this site are illustrative placeholders only.
