Affirming Hawai‘i’s coconut heritage

NiU NOW! is a community cultural agroforestry movement emerging to affirm the importance of niu, coconut and uluniu, coconut groves. At the center of our movement is the re-establishment of a loving relationship with niu and the ancient knowledge practices of Hawai‘i’s coconut heritage as a “tree of life,” a complete food system.

Led by Dr. Manulani Aluli Meyer and Indrajit Gunasekara, NiU NOW! has three priorities to re-establish the coconut back into ka pae ʻāina o Hawaiʻi, into the Hawaiian islands:

  1. Hawaiian cultural revitalization

  2. Ecological conservation

  3. Food security/healing

We begin first with land-based practices that honor our coconut heritage. This movement was founded in our backyards and in the hearts and cultural practices of community. Our growth has continued more five years and has amplified with community support to reinvision and reconstruct a living economy. NiU NOW! is not large-scale uluniu for economic gain, but rather groves for a healthy society and the well-being of people.

 

This uluniu is unique because it has 5 different varieties of niu poko (niu dwarf trees). We also have 6 healthy ʻulu! Weʻve been at this for 5+ years now and you can feel it in the uluniu. Mahalo to all who are helping make this space momona.

Kūkaniloko, Wahiawa

This beloved uluniu (coconut grove) has 108 niu (16 varieties in 36 moku) and was planted 5 years ago! Spearheading this volunteer experience is Kehau Kahele-Madali of the Kaulunani Community Coconut Project. She is bringing folks to Kūkaniloko every other Wednesday for the care and aloha of the uluniu there. 

If you are anyone you know can come, please do!  We are staving off the CRB with care and netting. Any help will go a long way.

 

Kumu Niu (Subtitled)

by the National Association of State Foresters

In traditional Hawaiian culture, coconut trees and their fruit are used for creating, building, nourishing, and more. In this film, we explore the significance of the coconut tree as a teacher and giver of life, and showcase the efforts of one organization (among many) that are restoring the importance of the coconut tree throughout the tropical world.

NIU NOW: Reconnecting to the Tree of Life

A look at the efforts by a grassroots group in Hawai‘i tackling the challenge of food security while reconnecting to the cultural heritage of the islands. In the words of co-founder Dr. Manulani Aluli Meyer, “NiU NOW is a movement of friends dedicated to the animation cultural agroforestry — and revival of Aloha.

How coconuts are helping humanity flourish 

PBS Hawaii - 10 minute video (June, 2024)

Support for NiU NOW! is provided by Life Comes From It, a fund of the Passageways Relational Design/: Trust and by the support of the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and State and Private Forestry, branch of the U.S. Forest Service, Region 5.