FORM AND COMPOSITION OF A PRESENT DAY HAWAIIAN GARDEN A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAIÿI IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN GEOGRAPHY May 2004 By Thomas R. Galioto Thesis Committee: Lyndon L. Wester, Chairperson Will C. McClatchey Mark D. Merlin © Copyright 2004 by Thomas R. Galioto iii Dedication I dedicate this work as an act of understanding to the Earth, my first mother and father, my first friend, my first teacher, my first love. O wau nö o Kekamapilihonua koÿu inoa. iv Acknowledgments I thank the people at the University of Hawaiÿi at Mänoa for supporting me in this opportunity to grow spiritually—allowing me to formally express innate potential as purpose. Mahalo to Kenneth Tokuno of the Graduate Division and Gail Koki of Financial Aid Services. I thank the people at the Geography Department for their affection toward me as expressed in their long support of my extended program which finally lead to this writing. Mahalo nui loa to Lyndon Wester, chairperson of my thesis committee, for his enthusiasm in editing the manuscript with great care and intelligence. Mahalo nui to Mark Merlin and Will McClatchey, my other committee members, for their comments and corrections. Mahalo to Ev Wingert for creating such a wonderful map and to Douglas Poÿoloa Tolentino for his artwork on it. In addition to the University, I am indebted to the people I heard speak and/or who responded to my questions. They are listed as personal communications in the references along with the others whos works I consulted. I received knowledge and insight from the following people who went before me: Isabella Abbott, Kekuni Blaisdell, Robi Kahakalau, Beatrice Krauss, Keao NeSmith, Mary Pukui, Butch Richards, Kekeha Solis, John Topolinski and Kealohamakua Wengler. v The following pioneers led me in my work: Edgar Akina, Rick Barboza, Heidi Bornhorst, Bill Char, Janet Gilmar, Dennis Kim, Lalepa Koga, Joel Kurakawa, John Obata, Nalani Olds, David Orr, Benton Pang, Earl Pawn, Matthew Schirman and Laulani Teal. Thanks to John Galioto, my father, for encouraging me to persevere with my writing and listening to my stories. Mahalo nui to Minnie Motis for providing me with accommodation and supporting my work at Nä Pueo Park. I thank the people at the Bishop Museum, the City and County of Honolulu, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry, The Hawaiian Mission Children’s Society Library, Honolulu Community College, Waimea Valley Audubon Center, Punahou School and Kamehameha Schools. Photo credits go to John Alves, Honolulu Magazine (Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 22), myself, Thomas Galioto (Figures 2, 7 and 13), Craig T. Kojima, Star Bulletin (Figure 10), Grey T. Kubota, Star Bulletin (Figure 9), George Motis (Figures 24 and 25), Minnie Motis (Figure 23), Jamie Roberts (Figure 12) and Matthew Kapalikü Schirman (Figure 8). Whatever misadventures I have faced have been of my own making. The wisdom of the many sustaining decisions, by the people acknowledged here, will be realized in better physical environments—landscapes that intentionally nurture us as we vi become complete human beings. Finally, a special mahalo to the friends and neighbors of Nä Pueo Park. Mahalo ä nui. vii Abstract Twenty seven designs for a Hawaiian garden to replace a city parkscape were collected for spatial analysis in light of the Hawaiian renaissance and the increasing availabilty of native plants valued by Hawaiians. What constitutes a Hawaiian garden is discussed together with its historical antecedents. Gardens contained predominately native plant species that were of a utilitarian and cultural nature. Fifty percent open space, groves, clusters, groundcovers, collections and rows were common plant arrangements. Large rocks, protected places to sit and space to gather plant material were included. Most gardens required an increase in maintenance. The number of species ranged from 4 to 110. viii Table of Contents Acknowledgments . v Abstract . viii List of Tables . .xii List of Figures . .xiii Chapter 1 ~ Introduction . .1 Origins . .1 Collections Inspire Further Discovery . .3 Chapter 2 ~ Factors Influencing Contemporary Hawaiian Gardens . .10 Objective . .10 Hawaiian Ethnoecology . 11 Hawaiians as Gardeners . 14 Hawaiian Spatial Arrangements of Plants . .15 Plant Introductions . 22 Polynesian Introductions “canoe plants” . .22 Early Europeans in Hawaiÿi . .23 Marin . .23 Missionaries . 24 Sea captains . 26 Plantation Era Plant Introduction and Land Control . .27 Landscapes of the Wealthy . .29 Adventives (Weeds) . 30 Exotic Trees for Water Harvesting . 30 New Land Management as a Result of Plant Introductions . .33 Protection of Native Forests . 34 Exotic Tree Industry . 36 Appreciation of Native Forest . 37 Summary of Hawaiian Gardening . .38 Chapter 3 ~ Changes in Concepts of Hawaiian Gardens . .39 Hawaiÿi and the Tropical Garden . 39 Garden Generalities . 41 Garden Specifics . .44 Shade . 44 Foliage . .47 ix Pöhaku (Rocks) . .49 Native Plant Renaissance . .54 Definitions . .54 Native Plants as Symbols of Native People . .56 Western Discovery . 59 Extinction Rate Increases . .60 Laws to Protect the Plants . 61 Native Plant Fanciers Speak Up . .65 Plant Sales . 69 Chapter 4 ~ Methods . .76 Study Site--ÿÄlewa Heights’ Nä Pueo Park . .76 Selection of Informants . .78 How Informants Were Found . 78 The Informants . 78 The Criteria for Exclusion or Inclusion . 78 Myself as a Factor . .79 Strategy—Research Protocol . .80 Map . .80 A Lesson in Hawaiian Thinking . .81 Telephone Conversation . .83 Final Group of Informants . .85 Site Location . .88 Chapter 5 ~ Results . 91 Plants Used in Gardens . .91 Native Species Used in Gardens . 92 Physical Structure in the Garden Designs . 97 (1) Use of Space . .97 (2) Plant Forms (Tree, Shrub, Groundcover, Herb) . 98 (3) Plant Form Abundance Graph. 101 Structures and Arrangements . .101 (1) Amenities . .103 (2) Plant Arrangements (Hoÿonohonoho mäla pua mäla ÿai) . .109 (3) Structures . 110 (4) Materials . 112 Level of Maintenance . 113 Useful Types of Plants . ..