Primary Contact:
Heather Simmons, HFI Executive Director
hfia@hawaiiforest.org
(808) 933-9411
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HONOLULU ZOO CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY FOREST DEDICATES PHASE 1
Hawaii’s Keiki Plant Polynesian Introduced Seedlings
Honolulu, Hawaii— 2.17.15 ~ Hawai‘i Forest Institute (HFI), Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association
(HFIA) and the Honolulu Zoo recently celebrated the Children's Discovery Forest Phase I Dedication
with a traditional blessing ceremony and planting of seedlings in the nPolynesian-introduced Forest
Zone.
Noted Hawaiian chanter and musician Kalama Cabigon led the traditional blessing ceremony and HFI
Treasurer William Yuen, Honolulu Zoo Director Baird Fleming, City Councilmember Ernie Martin,
Landscape Architect Leland Miyano and HFI President Travis Idol gave welcoming remarks.
The Children’s Discovery Forest was designed to create a representation of natural systems, including
a vision of Hawai‘i before the arrival of humans. Once completed, the discovery forest will include
culturally significant Hawaiian plant species, the significance of place, and the kuleana of mālama
‘āina (responsibility to care for the land) by integrating traditional Hawaiian forest ecosystems, forest
stewardship opportunities, and innovative land-based education for residents and visitors.
The Children’s Discovery Forest reconnects urban visitors with the Hawaiian forest through three
demonstration zones: strand vegetation, dryland mesic forest species, and Polynesian-introduced
species and cultivars. In addition to the blessing and formal presentations, the Dedication Ceremony
engaged Hawai‘i’s keiki in planting seedlings in the first phase Polynesian-introduced Forest Zone.
The Discovery Forest demonstrates culturally significant plant and tree species that once grew near
traditional shoreline village on O‘ahu. The replication of coastal ecosystems provides a habitat for
Hawaiian plants, birds and invertebrates as well as providing forest stewardship opportunities and
land-based education for both residents and visitors.
Renown landscape designer Leland Miyano, who created the Discovery Forest Design Plan, is working
with landscape architects PBR HAWAII to oversee project construction. Landscape contractor Turf &
Shrub Care was selected to do the site preparation, heavy equipment work, irrigation, hardscapes, and
some planting. Community volunteers are assisting with planting and site maintenance while learning
about these unique forest ecosystems.
Project funders include Atherton Family Foundation; Cooke Foundation, City & County of Honolulu
Department of Community Services, State Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of
Forestry & Wildlife, USDA Forest Service’s Kaulunani Urban Forestry Program; Hawai‘i Community
Foundation; Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Natural Resources Program, Pettus Foundation and Samuel N.
and Mary Castle Foundation.
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About the Hawai‘i Forest Institute
HFI is a 501c3 nonprofit organization formed by the Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association in 2003.
HFI’s mission is to promote the health and productivity of Hawaii’s forests through forest
management, educational programs, information dissemination, and support for scientific research. In
addition to the Honolulu Zoo Children’s Discovery Forest, other HFIA and HFI projects include the
Hawai‘i Island Native Hawaiian Seed Bank Cooperative, Pana‘ewa Zoo Discovery Forest, Keauhou
Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest, MAHALO ‘ĀINA: Give Back to the Forest Initiative and
restoration and education at several community forests on Hawai‘i Island.
Photos of February 7, 2015 Phase I Dedication