Hawaiʻi Nontimber Forest Products: Cultural and Economic Foundations

The Hawaiian Islands are an isolated archipelago in the Pacific Ocean with diverse forests covering 1.5 million ac—36 percent of Hawaiʻi’s total land area. These forests produce wood for local use and support trade, yet large-scale timber production has never been significant in Hawaiʻi. In contrast, nontimber forest products (NTFPs), have been foundational to the culture and economy of the state throughout history and continue to be elemental to contemporary society. The rich variety of NTFPs sourced from Hawaiian forests can be observed at diverse social events and informal gatherings. Species used as NTFPs are harvested for a wide range of reasons, including food, medicine, art, textiles, floral garments, floral displays, weaving, and cultural ceremonies. They are harvested and used by people of all ages and socioeconomic classes and support cultural heritage, identity, and connection to nature. Despite these values, there is little information on the reliance, variety, and amounts of NTFPs harvested from Hawaiian forests. Documenting the types, amounts, spatial distribution of harvesting, and current and projected demand and uses for NTFPs is critical to understanding the management needs of these forests and their social, ecological, and economic values to Hawaiʻi residents. This study used multiple methods to document NTFPs, their uses, and significance. Methods included summarizing state collection permits, interviewing and surveying stakeholders, and observing uses at cultural events. We identified more than 140 plant species harvested and used as NTFPs. Thirty-eight percent were native or endemic to Hawaiʻi. Almost all the permits issued by the state were for personal use. Interviews and surveys indicated a strong link between product use and people’s connections to spiritual values, cultural rights, and the land. We found that endemic species, such as maile (Alyxia stellata), palapalai (Microlepia strigosa), ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), and koa (Acacia koa) had high market value, were under extreme pressure, and would benefit as priority targets for management, conservation, and nature-based development. Findings from this study could guide management plans and actions to conserve Hawaiʻi’s vast forest diversity and cultural economy.