A Niu Thing

By Dayanti Karunaratne| Editor

One by one, coconuts gathered from across Molokai were placed in careful rows. Traditional Hawaiian music played softly as community members of all ages pitched in, building nests of mulch around the seeds. In one morning, over one thousand coconuts (niu) would be prepared for propagation at the University of Hawaii Maui College farm site in Hoʻolehua. 

“It’s a special project, and we’re happy to be a part of it,” ‘Ōlelo Schonely Spencer said. As the UH Maui College Farm Manager, she is leading a team that’s coordinating a five-year plan for the 28-acre farm located on Huaʻai Road that includes education, workforce development, ‘āina-based practices and the perpetuation of Native Hawaiian culture. Propagating niu is an example of what they want to do, according to Schonely Spencer.

Schonely Spencer said the plan is inspired by the Oahu-based Niu Now movement that seeks to revitalize niu as an important cultural, ecological and food resource in Hawaii.

Over 30 people showed up on June 16 to lay the first set of coconuts for cultivation, including interns from Molokai High School and representatives from Niu Now and Malama Learning Center. 

The niu mission began in April with the collecting of coconuts. These were gathered from Hoʻolehua to Hālawa; nearly 400 came from Kapuāiwa Coconut Grove. In the future, others will be collected from areas west of Hoʻolehua, Schonely Spencer explained. 

She said their partners from Oahu were impressed by the stock of coconuts — over 1,200 — ready to be laid in mulch and watered until they sprout and are ready for planting. 

“Here we have lots of healthy trees. It’s abundant,” she said.

Schonely Spencer explained that every seed collected was noted for its location, cultural, morphological (shape/structure) and propagational characteristics. This information, she said, will help identify, preserve and propagate a diverse variety.

The seeds will stay at the Hoʻolehua nursery for at least three months. Once they are ready to plant, Schonely Spencer and her team will find them new homes. Some will grow at the UH Maui College farm site, while others will be given away to community members. 

As midday approached and all young niu were in place, cultural practitioner Miki’ala Pescaia offered a prayer, which asked for protection of the space. She also noted that the moon was transitioning to Kūkahi. 

“It’s going to pull up things to be nice and straight. It’s a really excellent day for this action,” Pescaia said. “The niu touching the ‘āina, and all of our aloha … this is the most optimal of conditions.”
Schonely Spencer and her team are planning an educational event on September 12 focused on niu and the ulu niu (coconut grove). 

“The intention is to have an event where we can provide education and cultural workshops about the niu,” Schonely Spencer said. 

Visit www.maui.hawaii.edu for more information on the UH Maui College farm.