HONOLULU — The 6th Annual Ohia Love Fest returns this year with several in-person events across the state, Nov. 5 to 19. The theme is “Mōhala,” the “unfurling of the lehua” that represents how the state is emerging out of COVID, moving onto a new stage of life.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohia Love Fest events on Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Hawaii Island celebrate the ohia lehua, the backbone species of Hawaii’s forests

  • Ohia lehua forests are the primary habitat for native wildlife, protect the islands’ watersheds and hold an important place in native Hawaiian culture and traditions

  • Ranchers and farmers first noticed dying ohia trees on Hawaii Island in 2010, but it wasn’t until 2014 that the fungal pathogen, known as Rapid Ohia Death, was officially identified

  • On June 27, 2022, the ohia lehua was named the State Endemic Tree of Hawaii when Gov. David Ige signed SB 2059 into law

The endemic ohia lehua is the most common native tree, comprising about 80% of Hawaii’s native forests. It’s the first to spring from recent lava flows and grows from sea level up to 8,000 feet in elevation, from short bushes to far-reaching canopy trees. Ohia lehua forests are the primary habitat for native wildlife, protect the islands’ watersheds and hold an important place in native Hawaiian culture and traditions.

Ranchers and farmers first noticed dying ohia trees on Hawaii Island in 2010, but it wasn’t until 2014 that the fungal pathogen, known as Rapid Ohia Death, was officially identified. Since then, thousands of trees have died. There are two types of Ceratocystis fimbriate — the more aggressive, Ceratocystis lukuohia, and less aggressive, C. huliohia. Both ultimately lead to tree mortality.

Researchers detected ROD on Kauai in May 2018, and it has since been found on Oahu and Maui. According to the Maui Invasive Species Committee, the only infected tree that was detected in July 2019 on Maui has been destroyed.

Gov. David Ige signed SB 2059 into law on June 27, 2022. The bill, a collective effort by school children, teachers, state lawmakers and conservationists, established the ohia lehua as the State Endemic Tree.

The University of Hawaii at Manoa, DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife and island Invasive Species Committees invite the public to attend statewide events to learn about the endemic ohia and the ways all who recreate in Hawaii’s natural spaces can play a part to stop the spread of ROD. All events are free.

The statewide event will kick off with a Kīpaepae, opening ceremony, 9 a.m. Nov. 14, conducted by Halau Ohia. It can be viewed on the Rapid Ohia Death Facebook page.

Maui:

  • Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. - Maui Nui Botanical Gardens will give away more than 1,000 Hawaiian trees for free, one per person of any age. In addition, the Garden Expo will offer horticultural and tree care classes, a plant sale and tree activities, including a special “Hale Ohia” to learn about ohia.

Kauai:

Oahu:

  • Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-noon - Leeward Community College hosts booths, workshops, crafts and giveaways. Attendees can enter a chance to win two tickets for a tour of Waihe‘e tunnel to see how a watershed and aquifer works.

Hawaii Island:

  • Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Pahoa Community Center hosts an ohia potting workshop, booths, games, prizes and a raffle giveaway.

Halau Ohia will also conduct a Ka Wā Pani closing ceremony. Check the Rapid Ohia Death Facebook page for the date.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii.