Grantee Research Project Results

Ecology, Conservation, and Native Hawaiian Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Alyxia oliviformis Gaud. (maile) on Hawaii Island: A Model for Community-Based Native Habitat Restoration

EPA Grant Number: U916212
Title: Ecology, Conservation, and Native Hawaiian Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Alyxia oliviformis Gaud. (maile) on Hawaii Island: A Model for Community-Based Native Habitat Restoration
Investigators: Whitehead, Amber N.
Institution: University of Hawaii at Manoa
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: January 1, 2003 through January 1, 2006
Project Amount: $125,611
RFA: Minority Academic Institutions (MAI) Fellowships for Graduate Environmental Study (2003) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Biology/Life Sciences , Fellowship - Natural and Life Sciences , Academic Fellowships

Objective:

The objectives of this research project are to: (1) identify some of the ecological conditions and management protocols under which traditional Hawaiian wild-plant gathering practices are consistent with conservation values; and (2) provide a model for future community-based native habitat conservation and restoration programs in the Hawaiian Islands.

Approach:

Alyxia oliviformis Gaud. (maile) is an endemic vining shrub, valued greatly by both the kanaka maoli (aboriginal) and local peoples of the Hawaiian Islands for use in fragrant open-ended kipu‘u style lei. The decline of maile populations is comparable to the current state of Hawaii's diminishing native flora. In the case of maile, this regression is possibly because of dispersal or pollination problems, although in the past, it often has been assumed to be related to the overharvesting of wild plants. Initial sites are being established in Hawaii to assess the effects of different island-specific gathering practices, as well as the variation in population growth between harvested and nonharvested populations, utilizing a combination of traditional environmental wisdom, experimental ecology, and population modeling.

Supplemental Keywords:

fellowship, conservation, ecology, Hawaii, HI, native habitat restoration, conservation values, restoration programs, Hawaiian wild-plant gathering practices.

Progress and Final Reports:

The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.